Oakbank Easter programming confirmed

Racing SA has today released programming for the 2022 Oakbank Easter Racing Carnival, with more than $1 million in prizemoney and bonuses available for participants across the two meetings.

Additionally, it was confirmed Oakbank will return to its roots in 2022 with the traditional Easter Saturday and Easter Monday race days back on the calendar.

The revised Oakbank programming follows the announcement on October 1 that jumps races will not be scheduled in the South Australian racing calendar as of next year.  

The new schedule for the two-day Carnival sees prizemoney maintained from 2021 levels across an enhanced all flat program, as well as the introduction of several trainer and jockey bonuses.

Key points from the 2022 Oakbank Easter Carnival programming include:

• A prizemoney increase for the Listed Hills Railway Stakes, run over 1100m on Easter Saturday, from $102,250 to $127,750
• The introduction of two 1400m races to be run on Easter Saturday each offering prizemoney of $107,250
• A new series of cash bonuses available for trainers whose horses go on to have success across Adelaide’s autumn racing period, with a total of $110,000 over and above prizemoney on offer
• A new Trainer and Jockey Challenge which will reward the trainer who claims the most prizemoney across the two meetings, as well as both the trainer and jockey who accrue the most points across the Carnival, based on a 5-4-3-2-1 system in-line with placings
• The unveiling of the Hills Community Cup, a BM60 class race over 1050m run on Easter Monday which will raise funds for nominated Adelaide Hills-based sporting and recreational clubs

Racing SA CEO Nick Redin said the industry body was focused on continuing the positive momentum that has been generated during the past couple of years.

“This programming has been developed to entice more owners and trainers to be part of the Oakbank Easter Carnival with the chance to compete for significant prizemoney,” Redin said.  

“The change has their interests in mind, and ensures Oakbank has several races which will provide a springboard into our feature Adelaide Racing Carnival.

“The trainer bonuses which have been introduced are designed to reward trainers who have horses which win at Oakbank and then go on to have success in our autumn Group and Listed races.

“This reflects the recent success of Bella Vella who won the Hills-Railway and then went on to claim the Robert Sangster Stakes in 2020, and Despatch who also won this race before claiming the 2019 edition of The Goodwood.”

Oakbank Racing Club Chair Arabella Branson said the programming changes and bonuses provided a chance to create new history at Oakbank.

“We’re excited Oakbank will be scheduled as a true Easter Carnival once again next year with racing on both Easter Saturday and Easter Monday. We see that as great news for the traditionalists as well as families,” Branson said.

“The club is delighted to be able to introduce bonuses for the best performing participants across the Carnival, while also supporting local Adelaide Hills sporting and recreational clubs through the introduction of a Community Cup race.

“We’re working closely with Racing SA on a number of other new initiatives which will be announced in the coming months to reinvigorate the Oakbank Easter Racing Carnival in 2022 and beyond.”

Oakbank Racing Easter Racing Carnival 2022 programming

Easter Saturday (April 16, 2022)

Easter Monday (April 18, 2022)

Trainer Bonuses

Available if the same horse wins both races in the 2021/22 season

Oakbank Trainer Challenge

• Most prizemoney across both meetings - $10,000 bonus*
• Most points accrued across both meetings (5-4-3-2-1 system with 5 points awarded to 1^st place, 4 points to 2^nd and so on) - $10,000 bonus*

*The same trainer cannot claim both. Trainer must have a starter for both the Saturday and Monday meeting to qualify.

Oakbank Champion Jockey

• Most points accrued across both meetings (5-4-3-2-1 system) – $5,000 bonus