 | RACING HISTORY |
YEAR: 1979
FEATURE RACE COMMENT
1979 NZ OAKS
Minilima from Invercargill, and Shona Way from Balclutha, combined to shatter some useful reputations in the $13,000 New Zealand Oaks.
Minilima went into the Oaks as one of the best-credentialled runners, with three wins and two placings this season, but Shona Way was less experienced, having started only twice, though she won at her previous start. These two dominated the finish, drawing clear 300 metres out, and though Minilima went on to win by three and a half lengths, it is unlikely the margin would have been that great but for Shona Way breaking 100 metres out. Minilima had just gained the upper hand when Shona Waybroke. Shona Way had followed Minilima forward three wide and hit the leadat the 1350 metres giving Minilima a good trail. Bob Cameron decided to press on with Shona Way, and the pair looked to have the others struggling turning for home.
But lack of race experience probably told against the Balclutha filly, as when Cameron went for the whip she broke. Fortunately, she settled quickly enough to hold second a length and a half clear of Miss Coquette, who like Minilima is by the Morrinsville-based sire Gaines Minbar whose stock have now completed a notable double. Gaines Minbar also sired Speedy Girl, winner of the North Island Oaks.
Minilima paced the 2600 metres in 3:26.4, a good effort considering the strong cold north-westerly wind the runners had to contend with. For Mataura farrier Charlie Franks, it was his second driving success in the New Zealand Oaks from only three drives. He drove champion mare Robin Dundee to win the 1960 Oaks for Mr Jack Hewitt. Franks, who has handled Minilima in all her wins for Invercargill owner-trainer Colin Swain, expressed some doubts that she would peg Shona Way at the top of the straight. "Bob had me tootling along down that back straight and I just thought, 'God, he's got to stop sometime'" Franks said.
Minilima has now won four races and gained three placings for $15,940, the $8450 she collected for the Oaks win more than doubling her previous winnings.
Shona Way, who races in the colours of her breeders, Mrs E E Townley and Mr D F Young, and her trainer Ossie Thorp delighted her connections with her effort. Mr Young said after the event that they debated whether to come to Addington for the Oaks, or race at Invercargill. "We thought, 'why not,' and came here. Her second was worth more than a winning stake and I was thrilled with her," Mr Young said. Miss Coquette was a battling third after racing handily throughout and she held out the favourite Philippa Frost by half a neck. Philippa Frost lost a little ground at the start but was handily placed starting the last 400 metres.
Credit: Tony Williams writing in NZ Trotting Calendar