New Zealand Victory: Sociable takes the 2018 Queensland Oaks Photo by Dan Costello
The middle night of the 2018 Brisbane winter carnival belonged to the interstate visitors.
On the opening night last weekend, the local stables of Grant Dixon stood tall and claimed the bulk of the features but tonight (Saturday), the riches headed over the state border.
And even across the Tasman Sea.
The Gr.2 $75,540 AQWA Constructions Queensland Oaks was taken out by New Zealand filly Sociable who finished strongly defeating Major Occasion and Miss Hooligan in the 2138m feature.
Prepared by Rangiora horseman Andrew Stuart, the Buy Kiwi Made filly was expertly handled by champion reinsman Luke McCarthy after sitting three backs on the pegs throughout.
Working clear at the top of the straight, the filly charged to the line to beat the game Major Occasion.
The victory provided McCarthy with back to back triumphs in the Oaks after scoring last year with Shartin.
New Zealand bred fillies have won the past seven editions of the Oaks classic.
In the Gr.2 $50,540 Garrards Sunshine Sprint, speedy Bathurst trained pacer Tact Tate surged to victory along the passing lane to beat Celestial Arden and Ohoka Punter in a time of 1:53.0.
Trained and driven by Amanda Turnbull, the McArdle gelding led from the outside post before taking cover on Ohoka Punter by the end of the opening split.
While heavy favourite Soho Tribeca got caught in bad traffic, Tact Tate was ready to pounce and shot through along the inside for a deserving victory.
Soho Tribeca finished 10th while My Field Marshal finished at the rear of the field after racing three-wide throughout.
Tact Tate has provided his connections a chance of picking up a $50,000 cash bonus if successful in next week’s UBET Blacks A Fake Queensland Championship.
The Gr.2 $30,540 Seelite Windows & Doors Queensland Trotters Cup went to Victorian performer Our Dreamlover who finished best to win the 2647m standing start feature.
Trained and driven by Mattie Craven, the Love You gelding worked home from a long way back to defeat Gee Up Neddy and Our Overanova in a time of 2:02.2.
Starting at massive odds, Our Dreamlover scored his first victory in over twelve months.
The Gr.3 $30,540 Egmont Park Stud South East Derby went the way of the Victorian trained Duplicated who led throughout and sprinted well clear of local star Colt Thirty One and The Bus to claim an easy victory in the 2138m feature.
Unbeaten in five starts for Dean Braun, Duplicated stamped himself as the horse to beat in next week’s Queensland Derby.
The Somebeachsomewhere gelding rated a stunning 1:54.6 while covering his final half in 54.6 seconds.
Trainer Dean Braun snared himself a feature race double after scoring in the Listed $25,540 Egmont Park Stud Fleur De Lil Ladyship Stakes with Carlas Pixel scoring in emphatic style defeating Come Cullect and Elle Yeah in a time of 1:53.5 for the 1660m feature.
Having her first local start, the Ladyship Mile scored easily despite racing over the concluding stages.
Connections will now focus on next week’s UBET Blacks A Fake Queensland Championship.
Next Saturday night, the final night of the Albion Park winter carnival, features will include the Gr.1 $200,540 UBET Blacks A Fake Queensland Championship, the Gr.1 $100,540 QBRED Triad Finals for 2yo pacers, the Gr.2 $75,540 Queensland Derby, the Gr.3 $30,540 4yo Championship and the Gr.3 $20,630 Trotters Marathon.
