De Lovely further cemented her status as one of the premier three-year-olds in the pacing world as she grabbed first place at the 2010 Nevele R Stud Australian Oaks at Tabcorp Park on Friday.
De Lovely ($1.70) was the race favourite and she certainly didn’t disappoint as she became one of only three horses to win the New Zealand-Australian Oaks double. The win also marks her third in four Group 1 starts. The DJ Butcher-driven filly was two back, catching a ride off Rocknrolla. Even when the leading horse got one off at the pegs at 900m, De Lovely surged forward, closing in on race leader Torque In Motion. Butcher was able to drive the determined filly into the lead in a thrilling final 27.5 seconds to take the win. Torque In Motion finished second with a 4.3 margin. Miss Trickin Lombo ($44.00) surprised a few onlookers with a convincing third place finish.
The race winner will now return to her native New Zealand in hopes of qualifying for the August 13 semi finals of the Tabcorp Australasian Breeders Crown in Friday night’s heat in Auckland.
2010 Nevele R Stud Australian Oaks Pacing Results:
Place |
Horse |
Prize Money |
Row & Br |
Trainer |
Driver |
Margin |
| 1 |
De Lovely NZ |
$50,625 | Sr2 | GC Small | DJ Butcher | – |
| 2 |
Torque In Motion |
$11,250 | Fr7 | VL Rasmussen | SR Graham | 4.30 |
| 3 |
Miss Trickin Lombo |
$7,500 | Sr4 | JE Davies | CA Alford | 16.70 |
| 4 |
Sassy Street |
$3,750 | Fr6 | PH Rixon | CE Rixon | 22.00 |
| 5 |
Revivalist |
$1,875 | Fr5 | RJ O’Connell | SW Dryer | 23.30 |
| 6 |
Ninna Jasper |
– | Fr1 | PG Manning | KE Manning | 26.20 |
| 7 |
Morgan Abby |
– | Fr4 | WR Potter | JN Quinlan | 35.20 |
| 8 |
Glenferrie Inn |
– | Fr3 | CT Demmler | CT Demmler | 37.80 |
| 9 |
Mes Cullen NZ |
– | Fr2 | VA Vallelonga | DR Wilson | 49.70 |
| 10 |
Rocknrolla |
– | Sr5 | EJ Stewart | NR Jack | 53.60 |
| 11 |
Bebop |
– | Sr3 | KP Cotchin | GR Sugars | 57.40 |
| 12 |
Millwood Meg NZ |
– | Sr1 | GFJ Bond | JJ Caldow | 101.50 |
Adding to the list of harness racing winners over the weekend was Mr Feelgood, who took a big win at Albion Park in the 2010 Sunshine Sprint.
While the Group 2 race didn’t produce a new record holder, it didn’t disappoint onlookers as it came down to a four way race between the favoured Mr Feelgood, Tip Your Hat in the lead, Be Good Johnny sitting just behind, and Washakie in the one by one in the wash up.
At the 300m, Mr Feelgood began making a move, first getting the best of Tip Your Hat. With Washakie not taking advantage of a run opportunity, and Be Good Johnny and Fox Valley Appeal searching for peg runs, Mr Feelgood dominated the field, crossing the finish line with a 2.50m over second place finisher Tip Your Hat.
The LA McCarthy-trained winner will be back at Albion Park competing for a chance to win the $100,000 Group 1 SEW Eurodrive Winter Cup. Be sure you put down all your bets on this upcoming Group 1 race at SportsBet as this online sportsbook is offering the best possible harness racing odds, and all new members can pick up a $100 free bet just for signing up.
2010 Sunshine Sprint Pacing Results:
Place |
Horse |
Prize Money |
Row & Br |
Trainer |
Driver |
Margin |
| 1 |
Mr Feelgood USA |
$36,000 | Fr5 | LA McCarthy | LA McCarthy | – |
| 2 |
Tip Your Hat |
$12,000 | Fr2 | CEM Martin | RN Martin | 2.50 |
| 3 |
Be Good Johnny |
$6,000 | Fr1 | JP McCarthy | SR Graham | 4.30 |
| 4 |
Fox Valley Appeal USA |
$2,400 | Sr1 | DL Smith | MP Neilson | 4.40 |
| 5 |
Washakie NZ |
$600 | Sr2 | JP McCarthy | MP McCarthy | 4.40 |
| 6 |
Be Diligent |
$600 | Fr3 | CEM Martin | LJ Weidemann | 7.10 |
| 7 |
Rockets Reject |
$600 | Sr4 | IC Wilson | JN Douglass | 8.60 |
| 8 |
Smarty Jones |
$600 | Sr3 | GM Bond | GM Bond | 8.80 |
| 9 |
Destreos NZ |
$600 | Fr6 | KL Rattray | DW Graham | 13.20 |
| 10 |
Rohan Home |
$600 | Fr4 | PRJ Fitzpatrick | GJ Fitzpatrick | 14.90 |