LANDMARK LOWLAND TRIFECTA GIFTS O’REILLY ENVIABLE OAKS HAND

4 March 2013

The remarkable one-two-three result of Saturday’s Gr.3 Bruce Perry Bloodstock Lowland Stakes (2100m) has gifted Champion sire O’Reilly an enviable hand heading into the Gr.1 Wellfield New Zealand Oaks on March 16.

In a landmark first, three-year-old daughter High Fashion powered home to spearhead an all O’Reilly finish, with fellow progeny Chandelier and Emerald Queen chasing hard for second and third spot.

Not since Sobig in 1974 has one sire had such an impact in the race and even then it was a quinella.

Serving as a useful barometer to the Oaks, the last eight years has seen the Lowland unearth the eventual winner on three occasions, with Midnight Oil, Princess Coup and Justa Tad bearing direct testament to this. The record is bolstered further by the 2010 Oaks win by Keep The Peace, who finished second in her Lowland precursor.

The Corner with Garry Chittick

Another year nearly passed, I could never work it out when my parents would express the view on how the years passed so quickly. When young, one always looked forward to the next happening; it seemed we waited forever. Now I dwell on the past and want it to last forever.

16 December 2025

Villing Ram Impresses In Trial Victory For Noverre

Having finished fourth in his first trial back in September, the Paul Pertab-trained Noverre colt Villing Ram upped the ante on December 16, scoring an impressive two and a quarter length win in just his …