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

Well, it was finally our turn. Mary and I shared in the joy of winning a race; we were there, of course. We could have settled in, in front of the TV – not driven the 50 minutes each way, but the emotions are entirely different.

14 September 2025

Smart Love too smart this start

Smart Love (Savabeel ex Relentless Desire) made a winning return at Te Rapa on 14 September, storming home by 3.3 lengths. Racing in Garry Chittick’s colours, the four-year-old mare impressed for Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott after two solid trials.