One of the best fields in recent years has assembled for this year’s Listed UBET Oakbank Stakes.
With two big name interstate visitors in Sirbible and Tuscan Sling and some of SA’s best sprinters, Saturday’s Oakbank Stakes will be one for the ages.
Sirbible, this year’s 55 Second Challenge Champion at Moonee Valley boasts a 3rd placing behind Malaguerra and Black Heart Bart in the Group 2 Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley and also contested last year’s Group 1 Darley Goodwood.
The Darren Weir trained Tuscan Sling has two black type race wins to her name, while Weir won the 2014 edition with Siwa Lady.
While there will be major interest in the visitors, don’t dismiss local form as Darren Jolly has won the Oakbank Stakes a record five times and he has two runners in the race in Tarco and Alabama Missile.
His brother Richard also holds a unique record of winning this race both as a jockey and a trainer. Richard rode Yarli Golf to victory in 1997 for trainer Paul Seater and has won the race as a trainer with Oahu (2006) and Very Discreet (2010). He saddles up Our Exchange and Bay Road in the Listed Race.
2013 winner and seven time black-type winner Riziz returns, while the John Hickmott trained Scratchy Lass will be aiming to go back to back in the race.
Jockey Jason Holder is aiming for a hat-trick of wins in the Oakbank Stakes and will ride Tarco on Saturday.
Sirbible has been installed as the favourite at $3.50 with UBET with Tarco on the second line of betting at $6.
Click Here to View the Listed Oakbank Stakes Market
Thomas Food International Von Doussa Steeplechase
South Australia’s best jumper, Nishiazubu will look to defend his Von Doussa crown after taking out last year’s race while his toughest competition will come from 2013 winner and dual Great Eastern winner, Lord of the Song.
Trainer Eric Musgrove has an amazing record in the Von Doussa, training the winner a staggering 13 times. His only runner in this year’s race is About the Journey with Martin Kelly on board.
Zed Em from the Patrick Payne stable is the current favourite for the race at $2.10 while Nishiazabu is the second elect at $4.50, closely followed by I'll'ava'alf at $5.50.
Click Here to View the Von Doussa Market
Sidewood Oakbank Cup
A touch of royalty will grace Oakbank on Saturday as Her Majesty The Queen’s horse, Bold Sniper lines up in the Oakbank Cup.
Trained by the Hayes’ and Dabernig stable, Bold Sniper will be looking for his first win this year and has been installed as the equal favourite for the race at $4.
Jim’s Journey and Exalted Lightning come out of this year’s Group 2 UBET Adelaide Cup and look to have some of the best form heading into Saturday’s race.
Last year’s winner Flying Casino returns for John Hickmott this year with young Tasmanian apprentice Raquel Clark to ride.
