| The
second day of the Oakbank Easter Carnival is taking place tomorrow with a strong eight
race card. Our Adelaide expert Jenny Barnes previews the Great Eastern meeting for us. Race 1 - AAMI Grey Hcp 1100m
Kurt - 13 starts for 4 wins and six seconds. Was a close fifth last start at listed
level and before that had won four in a row. If he handles the circuit he should win.
Mystic Grey - Resuming from a spell and has won one of three starts over the journey.
Final Mist - Has had one start at Oakbank for a win over 1100m and is also resuming
from a spell after racing at the Melbourne Spring Carnival. Finished well back behind
Prince Rubiton then midfield behind Suzy Grey before break. Has had 12 starts for three
wins over the journey.
Ama's Son - Though recent form isn't that eye catching he has run two seconds at
Oakbank including one over the 1100m.
Race 2 - Aurion Energy Trophy 1400m
Lucy's Gift - Trained on the track she has run second at Oakbank in the past. Was third
at Balaklava before a close second at Cheltenham last start.
Cavalli Veloci - Is well down in weight and has been placed here in the past so is an
outside chance.
Burzam - A Naracoorte winner recently this mare was then unplaced at Murray Bridge
before third behind Tell No Lies and Lucy's Gift at Cheltenham.
Wilds of Virginia - Visitor from Ceduna who has won four of nine starts and is expected
to run well. The four wins have come in succession at her last four runs at Port Lincoln.
Race 3 - Yalumba Hurdle 3600m
Mystic Outlaw - Promising newcomer to jumping with four starts for three wins. First
time at Oakbank but should run well if he handles the track.
Mascagni - Won over the hurdles here last year at his jumps debut. Has had two jumps
starts since winning at Gawler and running second after nearly falling mid race at
Victoria Park.
Shutayr - Won the Dickson's Hurdle Div 1 on Saturday and if he pulls up well is
expected to run here. Has had three jumps starts for a win and two placings.
Millenium Dancer - Was finishing well for second on Saturday and should acquit himself
well despite the step up in class.
Wilson Road - Another to be making ground for second on Saturday and again should
appreciate the extra distance.
Race 4 - Rex-Lox Rail Country Cup 1900m
You're Joking - Favourite in early markets. Placed at Victoria Park and Cheltenham
before a close fifth last start to Newsflash. First time at Oakbank is the main worry.
Jeune's Mark - Scratched from Saturday. Trained at Lindsay Park and in form with recent
win at Murray Bridge.
Bad Boy Buck - Third to Simply Magical at Cheltenham last start and has finished in the
first three placings 13 times of 33 starts.
Sognare - Lightly raced veteran of 8 starts for 2 wins and 2 placings. Last start won
at Gawler from Geiger Gold and third behind Jeune's Mark previously.
Race 5 - Onkaparinga Cup 2150m
The Hind - Trialled over hurdles at Oakbank but staying on the flat here. Was storming
home at both runs from spell and should be suited.
Oxford Dollar - Showed a return to his old form last start just missing by a head to
catch Newflash at Cheltenham. Trained on the track.
Mr Selby - Close up third to Newsflash and Oxford Dollar last start and won over
Hurdles here last year at his only jumps start.
Newsflash - Won at Cheltenham last start after being placed at that track and running a
close sixth at Flemington. Was unplaced at his only previous Oakbank run.
Little Neeco - Trialled well last week at Oakbank and was placed at Victoria Park
before winning at Cheltenham last start.
Bitski - Won Country Cup here last year after indifferent lead up form. Now rising 13
years he has similar form same rider and can't be discarded.
Race 6 - Great Eastern Steeplechase 4950m
Nautilism - Class jumper who won Von Doussa on Saturday and favourite here. Only query
is the distance.
Hibernian Prince - Nice run on the flat Saturday and was a close second here last year
behind St Steven.
Crafty Dancer - Only outsprinted on the flat in the Von Doussa and is trained by the
current 'king of Oakbank' in John Wheeler.
Turkey Lane - Finished midfield Saturday but the distance here is more to his liking.
Cannot dismiss his chances.
Race 7 - Clipsal Hcp 1400m
Newtown Jet - US import trained at Lindsay Park. Made Australia debut with a late run
making up ground behind Kurt at Cheltenham. Six week break between runs but looks suited
here.
Kooda Hurry - In form and trained at the track. Second behind Pray in Vain at Victoria
Park before winning at Cheltenham three weeks ago.
Mr Gweilo - Nicely bred gelding who has been finishing behind the placegetters in
recent Melbourne starts.
Rations, Romeo's Princess, Cathedral End all ran on Saturday and must be included in
the chances if they back up here.
Race 8 - Alcohol Go Easy Hcp 1050m
Magic Clause - Racing consistently in Melbourne and has 5 wins over the distance.
Quick Game - Has won two of last three runs at Clare and Murray Bridge. 12 starts over
the distance has resulted in 5 wins and 3 seconds.
Whistling Lass - Has won 14 of 44 starts including two of last three at Port Lincoln.
Fifth last start to Sunbury who was only just run down on Saturday.
Cullen Bay - Scratched on Saturday. Racing into form with a second to the fast
finishing Classic Status (placed Saturday) at Cheltenham last start and is well down in
the weights.
Others to consider are Hearten's Magic and the first emergency Supremely, both of whom
are trained on the track. |
