Van Overmeire steers Oakfield General home to maiden win

Newcastle
A great day of racing at the Newcastle Racecourse. PIC Bradley Photography

SYDNEY-BASED jockey Jean Van Overmeire continued on his winning way at Newcastle on Saturday when steering home the winner of the third race, Oakfield General.

The chestnut gelding began well from barrier one over the 1400m trip and was able to hold his spot on the fence, settling in third position early.

Swinging for home the leader Vanell kicked clear, but Oakfield General found clear galloping room and gradually began grinding back the margin.

With 100m to go, the two leaders were still going stride for stride, with Oakfield General putting his head down on the line just in time to score for trainer Damian Lane.

It was win number 48 for Van Overmeire, with the apprentice hoop only commencing his riding career in August 2016.

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Damian Lane’s stable foreman Kate Law was full of praise for Van Overmeire following the performance, getting the result in a tough challenge at the end.

“It was nice to have him on today – we’ve had a bit of luck with him,” Law said.

“He has done a really great job – he is in form and for an apprentice he is really coming up the ranks.

“They got in a bit of a battle towards the end there but luckily he hung on.”

Race favourite Falcon Way finished a disappointing fifth for John Sargent, continuing the ordinary run for punters after the top elects were defeated in the first three events at Newcastle on Saturday.

But all honours were with the winner. The victory was the first career win for Oakfield General, a three-year-old gelding which had been knocking on the door since debuting at Gosford on May 4.

Oakfield General is owned by the Mayor of Port Stephens, Bruce Mackenzie, who Law also complimented after the win.

“He is a lovely horse and is owned by Bruce McKenzie who is a new owner for us in the stables – it is really good to get a winner for him as he has got some lovely horses he is sending us.”

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