SA Oaks Final Review
Last night at Angle Park Funambulist, for trainer Jane McNicholl, took out the 2020 Group 3 Coffex Coffee SA Oaks in a fine display of sprinting. This was the third time Jane has won this prestigious race with True Shadow winning in 1984 and True To Do in 1991 with 36 years between her first win and last night's. It was an outstanding training feat for this series as Jane not only trains Funambulist but she also owns and bred the daughter of Fernando Bale and Weblec Rose.
As the start was affected Sallynoggin from box 6 for Ray Fewings began brilliantly to charge forward only to be challenged on the inside by Marlee Jaye for Liz Harley who mustered quickly from box 4 as they raced past the finish line on the first occasion. Funambulist was out wide from box 8 moving forward with plenty of crowding on her inside starting to occur as the field was tightly packed. Shortly after, race favourite My Girl Kizzy for Nathan Wilson, found severe trouble falling to the track putting pay to her chances however, she did recover to complete the race. Into the back straight, Marlee Jaye had scooted through to take the lead and raced away with a nice break.
Funambulist moved to second while Sallynoggin held third while the rest of the field attempted to make ground. Off the back straight and Marlee Jaye was full of running out with a nice break ahead of Funambulist who was in hot pursuit while Sallynoggin was challenged for third by Invincibility for Adam Manton who was charging home. As the field turned for home, Marlee Jaye began to tire after the hot speed and shift up the track, this allowed Funambulist to hit the lead mid way down the final straight, looking the winner. However, she had to hold off the late challenge by Sallynoggin who followed her through to score a memorable victory. She ran a solid 30.19 for the 515m journey with splits of 4.44 and 17.17 in winning by .75 lengths ahead of Sallynoggin who charged home. Invincibility was a further 1.25 lengths away in third after she was also able to run home hard past the tiring Marlee Jaye back in fourth.
The $17,500 first prize took Funambulist’s prizemoney to just under $25,000 and the impressive record of 7 wins and 7 placings from her 16 lifetime starts.
