| Oakbank this
year was held in warm weather conditions and had attracted some of the best jumpers in
Australia for the main races. Soon after jumping in race 2 a nearby power transformer
failure resulting in complete loss of power to the course. It was back to a bygone era as
the race was run with no race call on course (with Sky viewers hearing the call of the
final lap via mobile phone). All races were put back one race as the on course generator
restored power to the betting ring, tote and on course audio broadcasting while the on
course stewards cameras were run on battery power enabling race three to be conducted.
Soon after race three full power was restored to the racetrack with the final race
programmed for 6.05pm a very late finish but with daylight saving still in force it was
still sunny. The jumps racing was exciting with close finishes in the hurdles and three in
line over the last jump in the steeple. Only one horse fell all day at the last fence in
the first hurdle with both horse and jockey escaping injury. Race 1 - Adelaide Bank Hcp 1050m
Crest of Gold took the lead on settling. Troll, Eternal
Desire and Make Me A King gave chase in the straight but Crest of Gold was still going
strongly. Inside the final 100m Make Me A King made a final challenge but Crest of Gold
responded under hard riding to win by 2 lengths with Troll a further 2 lengths away third.
Race 2 - Dicksons Ltd Sharebrokers
Hurdle 2900m Div 1
What a Mess led City of Gold soon after the start from
stablemate City of Gold. By the 1600m What a Mess led Family Favourite then Killruddery
and City of Gold followed by Jester's Edge and Boxter Blue then Shutayr and Texan Trader.
By the 1000m Family Favourite led What a Mess with Boxter Blue making ground from City of
Gold. By the 600m Boxter Blue joined Family Favourite as Shutayr made ground around the
field from What A Mess. Around the turn Shutayr hit the front and sprinted clear of Boxter
Blue followed by Wilson Road starting to run on. Over the last fence Shutayr was well
clear with Wilson Road chasing hard with a gap to Boxter Blue then the others. Killruddery
who was with What a Mess mis timed his effort over the last and crashed to the ground.
Horse and rider were unharmed but still getting up as the fianl two runners jumped the
last but were able to steer around the fallen pair. In the run to the line Shutayr held
his position to win by four lengths to Wilson Road then a further four lengths to Boxter
Blue then Family Favourite and Yallah Limit with 15 lengths to City of Gold and Jester's
Edge then What a Mess with a gap to Texan Trader and Euclid.
Race 3 Dicksons Ltd Sharebrokers
Hurdle 2900m Div 2
Benyang led early but was soon joined by Tassie's Shout
before Joe Bananas moved up on the outside in the home straight on the first lap. Inside
the final 1000m Lance Corporal strode to the front. Around the home turn Lance Corporal
was well clear from Millennium Dancer who gave chase. In the run to the line Lance
Corporal had too much in reserve to win from Millennium Dancer with Raquets third. (more
detailed description will follow when available).
Race 4 Four n Twenty Hcp 1400m
Froth and Bubble led early but So May It Be took over on
the outside by a half length. By midway Froth and Bubble was second with So May It Be a
clear leader. Around the turn Froth and Bubble challenged and led to the 200m where
challenged by Sciatica and Dameslac Warrior. In a hardfought finish Froth and Bubble won
by a neck from Dameslac Warrior and Sciatica but a later protest of third against second
was upheld.
Race 5 Shillabeer Plate 1100m
Empress Waltz settled just off the pace before losing
ground down the hill to the turn. On straightening Empress Waltz fanned wide to charge
after the leader Sunbury. Inside the final 50m Sunbury was fighting back strongly with
Chalonnaise and Empress Waltz n the outside. On the line Empress Waltz was too strong
winning narrowly from Sunbury with Chalonnaise third.
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