The Melbourne Cup may be Australia's greatest horse race, but the Great Eastern Steeplechase (proudly sponsored by Carlton & United Breweries) at Oakbank is certainly the most colourful and spectacular. More than 100,000 fervent holidaymakers flock to the hamlet in the Adelaide Hills over the Easter weekend to watch the running of the marathon steeplechase at the famous track.

Oakbank, however, more than any other major Australian club, belongs not to its executive or even to its members. It belongs to the people of South Australia and to its regular visitors from interstate and overseas. And therein lies its secret, those regular Oakbankers belong to Oakbank, and Oakbank belongs to them, and while that marriage lasts, the future of Oakbank as the world's greatest picnic race meeting is in very good hands.

Campers have already started their pilgrimage to the Hills to begin setting up their tents, and the fun will begin in a carnival atmosphere, which rivals the English Derby week at Epsom. The same families have been making the Oakbank pilgrimage for years and it is not uncommon to find people who went with their fathers and mothers as youngsters 30, 40 or 50 years ago. Overseas visitors marvel at the magnitude of the carnival and share the racing public's fascination with the testing 4,950m Great Eastern, as well as the other jumping and flat events.

While racing takes pride of place at Oakbank on both Easter Saturday and the Monday, there are plenty of other attractions. Ferris Wheels, Merry-go-Rounds, Train Rides, Pony Rides, Stalls and food outlets with exotic foods from all countries and free face painters make this a circus Barnum and Bailey would have been proud of.

Between the races, hundreds of youngsters and older folk will play football on the track, have races and generally have fun. Yes indeed Oakbank at Easter has all the fun of the fair, added to which, the racing is great.

There is a once only charge of $15 (children under 16 free) to enter the course, with patrons able to use grandstand facilities and visit horse stalls and the parade ring at no extra charge. Patrons are welcome to bring eskies to the event, however they must not be taken into the grandstand area, and glass bottles and cans will not be permitted to be taken into or out of the grandstands or members enclosure.

For the 8th successive year Malaysia Airlines are offering 2 return tickets to London and the Adelaide Bank $500 towards accommodation and other costs to a lucky patron who submits the winning entry form on course. The holiday must be used by the 31st December 2003 and is not redeemable for cash or transferable. Yalumba Wines will supply another successful competitor with 7 assorted cases of their various products. The forms for the competition will be available thorough the race book and locations on-course.

Flat and jumping trails will be conducted on Monday 7th April and trials for jumping horses nominated for events at Oakbank will be conducted on Monday 14th April. Trails will commence at 9:30am and as a fund raiser for St Michaels Collage there will be a free sausage sizzle on both days.

Oakbank Secretary Barry Biggs sums up the Oakbank success nicely:

"Melbourne may have pinched the Grand Prix, but the Great Eastern Steeple meeting is just as big and we are the only country race club in Australasia to be given metropolitan status over the weekend. We are proud of this achievement."

Further enquiries phone Barry Biggs (08) 8212 6114, visit our website at www.oakbankracingclub.com.au or e-mail us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Media Release - Oakbank Racing Club

fShare

Tweet