Easter Saturday Oakbank Races Report
- Sunday, 04 April 2010 08:07
Trainer Ciaron Maher was king of Oakbank on Saturday when his charges Satu San and Al Garhood took out both jumps races.
Satu San set the pattern when the eight year old won the 2900 metre Woodford Reserve Hurdle and five races later Al Garhood won the Scott Group of Companies Von Doussa Steeplechase of 3250 metres.
Having services of Gavin Bedggood Satu San $5.50 was the eight and a quarter length winner of the hurdle.
The progeny of the Japanese bred Tayasu Tsuyoshi and the Bluebird mare Irish Heartbeat Satu San came from near the rear of the field to beat the John Wheeler prepared Richard Eynon guided Sirrocean Storm $5.
A farther two lengths away third was another Ciaron Maher trained performer, the Steven Pateman guided Art Success, the $2.10 favourite.
After a hold up due to the sprinklers inadvertently starting on the straight, the Craig Durden ridden Al Garhood was the three and a half length winner of the 3250 metre Von Doussa Steeplechase giving the ten year old’s mentor Ciaron Maher the jumping double on the first day of the Easter Oakbank Carnival.
Being out of the Great Britain sired Petoski mare Alstromeria and fathered by the New Zealand bred Zabeel, a son of the well performed stallion Sir Tristram, Al Garhood $9 led throughout and beat the Brad McLean mount Pentacolo $6 giving Maher the quinella.
The combination of John Wheeler and Brett Scott were associated with Yamanaura $8 who was a farther five and a half lengths away third.
Patrons were treated to a thrilling neck win by the John Hyam mentored Troy Baker ridden All About Heart $8.50 in the opening event of 1400 metres.
By the United States bred entire Lion Hunter from the Without Fear matron Out ‘n’ About, All About Heart was an all the way winner, just hanging on to beat the Ray Moore cared for Damien Robinson mount Notonmatchday $21.
The $2.50 punter’s choice Pilot’s Lane was a farther one and a quarter lengths away third for Eric Musgrove and Chad Lever.
The ladies were in the fore when the Paula Trenwith prepared Amy Herrmann ridden gelding Kelly’s Gold $21 was the short head winner of race three which was run over 1400 metres.
Being well in the call during the race the Danehill Dancer sired Kelly’s Gold, from the Marscay sired damn Full of Glory, beat the $8.50 chance Lord Chiefly for Oakbank based trainer Ken Matson and apprentice Jordon Frew.
Another local mentor John Dunn, along with jockey Dominic Tourneur supplied Roll On Bai $18 who was another long neck away third.
Horsham horsewoman Holly McKechnie rode her second Oakbank winner in a month when she guided Scenic Buzz to a two and three quarter length win in the 3600 metre fourth race for the father and daughter training combination of Terry and Karina O’Sullivan.
From the Century mare Honeyeater and sired by the Irish bred Scenic, Scenic Buzz came from a mid field position to beat the $20 chance Kenwick for mentor Claudette Rose and jockey Simon Price.
Vorenus was another one and a half lengths away third for Jim Conlan and David Tootell.
A well judged ride by Chad Lever which resulted in a rails run in the straight saw the Richard Jolly prepared $2.20 favourite Very Discreet finish with a length to spare in the main flat event of the day, the listed 1100 metre Oakbank Stakes.
Owned by a colourful list of owners headed by SAJC chairman David Peacock the Exceed and Excel sired four year old mare, out of the Euclase mare She’s Discreet, was the early leader before dropping back to fourth and then powering home to record the victory over the Paul Seater prepared apprentice Libby Hopwood steered Allstar $8.
Idalou $7.50 was one and three quarter lengths away third for Trevor Dansie and Amy Herrmann.
The Mossman sired four year old gelding Street Singer from Catshaan, a Catrail mare, brought up a hat trick of wins in event six which was over 1400 metres.
Being under the care of Daniel Clarken and having the services Wayne Kerford, Street Singer was an all the way winner and had a half length advantage over Our Scene $7 for mentor Michael O’Leary and jockey Simon Price.
A nose away filling the minor placing was Ciro Prince for Craig Stewart and Libby Hopwood.
After a run of outs the Centre Stalls mare Bella Leah broke through with a three quarters of a length win in race eight which was contested over 1050 metres.
Being out of a Kenny’s Best Pal mare Tracerline, Bella Leah was well placed and beat the Fred Meuring prepared Claudia Lions mount Flying Phoenix $17.
Sam Burford and Troy Baker provided Graskey $31 who was a farther long neck away third.
The David Balfour prepared Fantastic Beau $26, with Dominic Tourneur in the saddle, was the head winner of the 1400 metre final event.
From the Polish Patriot matron Prime Ville and fathered by Fantastic Light, Fantastic Beau was fourth when the event took shape and then, drifting back to a mid field position before mustering enough speed once more, went on to beat Tuscan Wonder $4 for local trainer Kirsten Mcgowan and rider Simon Price.
Zaazip $6 was another long neck away third for Karen Byrnes and Matthew Neilson.
Pictures: Jenny Barnes
