Nike Franco holds off My Willow in heat two of the NSW Oaks.
The Form 700 NSW Oaks is shaping as a showdown between New Zealand and Victoria after their two hotshots drew perfectly for tomorrow week’s $200,000 final at Tabcorp Park Menangle.
Victorian Nike Franco (Chris Alford) and My Willow (Natalie Rasmussen) staged a two-horse donnybrook over the concluding stages before Nike Franco hung on to win heat two of the NSW Oaks preludes at Tabcorp Park Menangle tonight.
But Chris Alford had to drive desperately on the daughter of McArdle to hold off My Willow, although stewards entered a protest for possible interference to the runner-up over the concluding stages, which was dismissed after a half-hour hearing.
Alford was also successful in heat one of the Oaks when Quick Draft ran down Mindarie Priddy in the shadows of the post to score an exciting win, leaving Alford with the perfect problem – which filly to drive in the final.
Final field for the Form 700 NSW Oaks is:
- Nike Franco
- My Willow
- Mindarie Priddy
- Shes A Runa
- Whereibylong
- Red Hot Toddy
- Quick Draft
- Joys A Babe (EM2)
- Spicy Stride
- Distant Memory
- Bettors Package (EM1)
- Ocean Diva