Wilson Chasing SA Oaks Redemption

TRAINER Nathan Wilson ventures to Angle Park this Thursday night hoping it will be part one of his Group 3 SA Oaks redemption story.

TRAINER Nathan Wilson ventures to Angle Park this Thursday night hoping it will be part one of his SA Oaks redemption story.

This time last year, Wilson was on top of the world after his grand bitch Oakvale Beauty scored a gripping victory in the Group 3 SA Oaks.

But for Wilson ecstasy soon turned to agony with news Oakvale Beauty returned a positive swab to Procaine, ultimately losing the race and the $25,000 winner's purse.

"We proved it was through contaminated meat as was the case with quite a few positives to Procaine around that time last year," Wilson said.

"The whole thing was terribly disappointing – especially to happen in a race like that – but the main thing was that Oakvale Beauty went on to prove herself like she did in Victoria.

"She matched it with the best, won a Laurels, made a Melbourne Cup Final and a lot more along the way. In our eyes she won last year's Oaks and that won't change."

Fast forward to Thursday night and Wilson takes a three-pronged attack into this year's SA Oaks series, looking to put last year's bitter experience well and truly behind him.

"That's the plan – definitely looking forward not back," Wilson said.

"Two of the bitches in Thursday are out of Oakvale Beauty's mum Oakvale Destiny. She won the Oaks for us in 2014 so it's been a race we've had success in. Hopefully that continues on Thursday."

The opening heat sees Wilson line-up sisters Love And Thunder and Oakvale Style from boxes six and seven, each quoted $4 with Tab.com.au.

"I don't think there's a great deal between them ability wise," Wilson said.

"It's hard to weigh them up properly because they haven't been racing head to head with Love And Thunder over in Victoria.

"I'd have rathered Oakvale Style drawn down near the fence but in saying that she won't crash down either.

"Love And Thunder has just come over (from Victoria) and hasn't trialled at Angle Park. With the COVID restrictions it just made it too difficult. She'll be better for the look but it wouldn't surprise me if she won either."

Thursday night's second Oaks heat will see Wilson front and centre when Mepunga Blazer bitch My Girl Kizzy, recently transferred from Victoria, takes her place as a red hot $1.75 favourite from box one.

"She's arrived over from Jeff (Britton) in great order," Wilson said.

"Off her Victorian form box one looks ideal – she's very strong.

"She hasn't trialled at Angle Park either so the main thing is she qualifies for the final and gets the track experience. Next week is the main aim obviously."

Wilson is also poised to play a leading hand in Thursday night's SA Derby heats (515m) with Oakvale Blue (heat 2, box 3) and Hank The Hustler (heat 3, box 2) considered strong chances.

"I'd rather see Oakvale Blue drawn wider but in saying that he'll be getting home strong – he always is," Wilson said.

"The favourite Coorong Nugget will be very hard to beat. Especially from box one – he's a very promising pup.

"But I can't fault my bloke. He's been running 29.80 at Angle Park without winning and is consistent."

In heat three, Hank The Hustler, winner at seven of his 16 appearances, steps out for his Derby assault opposed to classy Victorian Weblec Jet.

"I think Hank The Hustler is the better of my Derby chances," Wilson said.

"He starts getting into his work down the back and is going to make a great 600 metre dog. His run home times are outstanding.

"Weblec Jet definitely has the form on the board but hopefully the track experience and small field brings my dog into it."

Markets have Oakvale Blue a $6 chance behind raging hot favourite Coorong Nugget ($1.45) in heat two while Hank The Hustler is a solid $2.35 second favourite in heat three behind $1.90 elect Weblect Jet.

Next week's South Australian Derby and Oaks Finals carry prize money of $17,500 to-the-winner.

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