Fast-rising Oakey Park looks a strong contender to claim another victory at Richmond on Saturday.
The sprinter, who has six wins from nine starts to her name, jumps from box two in the Sires On Ice Stakes (400m).
John Chapman’s chaser already has two victories at the western Sydney track to her name, as well as a 0-2 Wins Final at Bathurst.
Chapman is enjoying a good run of success at the moment and reckons Oakey Park could be a future city star.
“I really think she can run the 500m,” the trainer said. “She seems to be stepping up every day.
“She has plenty of toe. Once she hits the ground she has certainly got a bit of pace.
“I really think she’s heading in the right direction.”
Okay Park opened her career with two victories to take out a maiden series at Lithgow over 414m.
Since then she’s enjoyed four wins and two placings from seven starts, including an impressive triumph over 400m at Richmond on January 10.
She went slightly below-par in finishing third at Richmond last Saturday over 400m but should be strong enough to win the night's second race.
A daughter of Oaks Road and She’s the Goodes, Oakey Park is among a handy litter also including She Oaks, who won over 307m at Bathurst last month.
“I’m rapt with the litters I’ve had from Oaks Road,” Chapman, who is also currently enjoying success with Oakey Park’s impressive kennelmate Lithgow Panther, said.
“Oakey Park has not had real good luck with the box draws but she seems to handle anywhere. It’s just what’s around her.
“She showed me from day dot that she has plenty of ability. She was not running flash times but she’s just got better and better.
Anthony Azzopardi’s Shoulders, who reached last Saturday night’s Paws of Thunder final, goes in race seven.
He could only finish seventh in the $100,000=-to-the-winner Group decider but should have too much class here.
Solid Stayer Luzaka Icon, who won over 720m at Wentworth Park last Saturday, looks a strong contender in race five.
Roman Magician, a daughter of Magic Sprite who has two wins from four starts so far, is a decent chance for race ten.
For Richmond Saturday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
