1 week Ago By Neil Evans
The provincial “Oakfield” production line is eyeing off another opening statement at Thursday’s Gosford meeting. Long-time owner-breeder Bruce MacKenzie, a former Mayor of Port Stephens, debuts his latest charge in a Provincial Maiden Hcp over 1200m. Racing returns to Gosford on Thursday.
Credit: Getty Oakfield Universe, an exciting three-year-old filly by prolific sire Written Tycoon in the Kristen Buchanan yard at Wyong, starts her career behind a nice easy trial on the Beaumont track at Newcastle, again with leading jockey Aaron Bullock in the saddle. It was only a few weeks back MacKenzie hooked up with another regular Wyong trainer in Damien Lane for what was shaping as a debutant “Battle of the Planets”. Oakfield Jupiter, by Toronado, was drawn right alongside stablemate Oakfield Saturn, by American Pharoah.
Both fillies had come off impressive trial wins, but Oakfield Jupiter was scratched on the day. Oakfield Saturn duly bolted in by nearly two lengths as a heavily backed favourite, just in time before the final three races that day were abandoned due to the state of the track. Mind you, Oakfield Jupiter didn’t have to wait long either before getting on the scoreboard.
She finished best to claim a competitive maiden on debut at Wyong last week, also as a heavily backed favourite, and running good times for a ground in soft condition. And just to cap off a terrific day, Oakfield Badger – a five-year-old by Exceed And Excel with Buchanan – stormed home from near the back to win a BM 64 Hcp over 1200m at nearly double figure odds. It seems evergreen and still horse-mad McKenzie can’t put a foot wrong through either stable, and now Oakfield Universe gets her chance.
An early third favourite with bookmakers around $4.80, Oakfield Universe will get an immediate test from both Hawkesbury-based four-year-old Cathedral Cove ($3.40) and locally trained three-year-old Lord Vettori ($4.
60). The track currently rated Soft 6 is expected to improve to a Soft 5 with clearing and warmer weather forecast. Certainly Buchanan will be banking on a spectacular debut from Oakfield Universe.
Prior to Oakfield Badger’s upset success she had collected only one win from her last 50 runners. Supplied by Racing NSW Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.
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