Easter and it was back to Oakbank for the two big meetings.  Saturday opened with the 2yo Hcp where Cayman Daze proved too good winning easily from Top Fox with Malmoosa third.  Cayman Daze is by Skilled from Miss Pickford and it was the filly's second win from 3 starts.  She is trained by Michael Hickmott and ridden by Matthew Neilsen.  Dane Hussler was first away and first home in the second race over 3600m defeating Artful Diva and Celtic Prince.  Dane Hussler is by Husson from Elegant Dane and is from the stable of David Hayes & Tom Dabernig and was ridden by Matthew Neilsen claiming an early double. 

Then it was onto the first jumps race of the day the Benchmark 120 Hurdle Auld Burns hit the front early but soon settled in behind freegoing leader Mutajara followed by Sir Dylan and Baklava Boy then Compelled and About the Journey then Shiny Manners with Monte Carlo further back.  Little changed until they turned out of the home straight where Auld Burn joined Mutajara followed by Sir Dylan and Baklava Boy as Shiny Manners moved forward around About the Journey to go up alongside Compelled.  Along the back straight Auld Burns took control as About the Journey made a forward move out wider with Sir Dylan and Baklava Boy as Mutajara started to tire and drop back.  Into the home straight Auld Burns flew the second last to stride away to a clear lead as Shiny Manners gave chase with About the Journey then Baklava Boy.  Auld Burns put in an impressive leap over the last to put the race beyond doubt racing away as About the Journey dragged and leg as Shiny Manners cleared it well racing on to take a clear second while a great display of horsemanship from Clayton Douglas saw his mount regain balance and continue on to take third as Baklava Boy mistimed the jump to stumble & fall on landing with Sir Dylan going on to be fourth.  Baklava Boy lost a shoe and had grass marks on his face but was otherwise fine as was his jockey.  Auld Burns started his hurdle career in 2014 winning this event at his second career jumps start he then went on to be placed at Morphettville later in the season.  After a 5th placing in Melbourne in August 14 he was away from racing until January this year and this was the first hurdle start of this campaign after trailing well last Monday.  He was bred in the UK and is by Pastoral Pursuits from Crackle and was the second winner of the day from the D Hayes T Dabernig stable and was ridden by Dara O'Meachair.

The Onkaparinga Cup followed where Flying Casino was far too strong racing away in the closing stages to win from Stimulatte with Go Dreaming third.  Flying Casino is from the stable of John HIckmott and was ridden by Jason Holder and is by Casino Prince from Sam's Belle.  Shaf gave nothing else a chance in the Benchmark 75 Hcp racing well clear from Lady Andress with Just Kappy third.  It was the third win of the day for the David Hayes/Tom Dabernig stable and the third win out of 4 flat races for Matthew Neilson.  Shaf is by Wanted from Jade Diva and took his record to 20 starts for 4 wins and 7 placings.

The Oakbank Stakes attracted one of the strongest fields in recent years and into the straight Tarco charged to the front while Scratchy Lass started to run out wider followed by Husson Eagle with Riziz trying hard.  Tarco looked like he might have enough in reserve but Scratchy Lass got up in the last bound to win by a nose from Tarco with Husson Eagle flashing down the outside for third. 

The Von Doussa the main drawcard of the day was next.  As they settled into stride over the first two fences Nishiazabu took the lead from Spying on You then Thubiaan followed by Lord of the Song and Geeceegazza then Bold Zamour with Underground Fighter and Regina Coeli next.  Heading to the home turn on the first lap Nishiazabu was a clear leader from Thubiaan then Spying on You followed by Lord of the Song and Geeceegazza then Bold Zamour and Regina Coeli with Undergroundfighter at the back.  Little changed as the field put on a good display of jumping until they headed to the third last where Nishiazabu led from Spying on You making ground on the outside of Thubiaan as Bold Zamour started to make a run out wide with Lord of the Song making ground.  Over the third last Spying on You put in is challenge to Nishiazabu from Thubiaan then Lord of the Song followed by Bold Zamour, Geeceegazza and Regina Coeli who jumped it together.  Nishiazabu hald the lead from Spying on You over the last with Thubiaan still running on out wider from Lord of the Song then Bold Zamour.  In the long run to the line Nishiazabu started to pull away from the field going on to win by around 4 lengths from Thubiaan with Lord of the Song third just ahead of Spying on You then Bold Zamour as South Australian horses took 3 of the top 5 places in the race.   Nishiazabu is by little known sire Ice Point from Hello Doctor and actually won his first race on the flat at Oakbank over 2150m.  He later won a second flat race at Oakbank during his first jumping season in 2014.  In 2015 he was 3rd in the Oakbank preview steeplechase before running 4th in the Von Doussa and third in the Great Eastern Steeplechase.  In 2016 he won on the flat in January at Gawler over 2100m before several more condition runs then winning the Oakbank preview steeplechase two weeks ago with a similar frontrunning display.  From the stable of Kevin and Heather Frew he was ridden by Paul Hamblin.

In the last race Mr Backchat was too good racing away to win easily from Flow Meter with Alcobro third.  Mr Backchat is trained by Tony McEvoy and ridden by Caitlin Jones and who is by Sequalo from Cheeky Lady.