LANE MOST APPRECIATIVE OF FELLOW TRAINER’S RECOMMENDATION

IT’S not always the case when a trainer thanks another trainer for getting a horse!

And In this case an owner as well.

Wyong trainer Damien Lane didn’t hesitate to thank fellow trainer Kristen Buchanan in the wake of debutante Oakfield Jupiter’s impressive victory on her home track yesterday.

A confidently backed $2.10 favorite and perfectly ridden by Aaron Bullock, the three-year-old Toronado filly took the Midway 2&3YO Maiden Handicap (1000m) for Lane and prominent owner Bruce Mackenzie, the former Mayor of Port Stephens.

Looking back on his first association with Mackenzie, Lane said it was all due to Buchanan.

“Kristen was training some horses for Bruce at the time, and a few more were ready to come into work,” he said today.

“Kristen didn’t have room, and recommended me to Bruce back in 2016.

“My first horse for him was Oakfield General.

“He ran second and fourth at his first two starts at Gosford and Newcastle and then won a 1400m Maiden Plate at Newcastle in June 2017 (ridden by a then claiming apprentice Jean Van Overmeire).

“Kristen and myself are good friends, and Bruce has been a wonderful supporter of both of us, along with Kris Lees at Newcastle.

“He is a terrific owner to train for.”

Lane almost brought off a rare treble in the past week with three three-year-old fillies – all making their debuts - entrusted to him by Mackenzie.

Oakfield Saturn scored at Gosford yesterday week, Oakfield Mars ran second to another debutante Beau Bandit at Newcastle last Tuesday, and Oakfield Jupiter won yesterday.

Whereas Mackenzie purchased Smart Missile filly Oakfield Mars for $30,000 as a weanling at the Gold Coast in 2022, he outlaid $840,000 for both American Pharoah filly Oakfield Saturn ($520,000) and Oakfield Jupiter ($320,000) at the 2023 Inglis Classic yearling sale.

“I’m very thankful to have the opportunity to prepare these fillies,” Lane said.

“They’re certainly the highest-priced yearlings to enter my stable.

“Usually I’m going to the Inglis HTBA sale at the Riverside complex with $10 to $20 thousand to spend on yearlings.

“We’ve been very patient with all three fillies, who are now more than halfway into their three-year-old season.

“Bruce doesn’t like racing his horses as two-year-olds to give them every chance for longevity.

“And if I mention to him that a horse has to go out for a spell, he never has a problem.”

Lane reported both winners Oakfield Saturn and Oakfield Jupiter had pulled up well from their respective victories.

“We’re not in any rush with them, but will probably go up in distance to 1400m with Oakfield Saturn after her 1200m win at Gosford,” he said.

“Oakfield Jupiter did a terrific job to win yesterday after copping that bump on the home turn when starting her run.

“The fact that she recovered and still beat a field with some depth speaks volumes for her ability.

“I’ll look for a suitable Class 1 for her.”

Not only are Lane and Buchanan good friends despite being rivals on the track, but their records are similar.

Lane has prepared a career 318 winners (including 17 this season), and Buchanan has tallied 317, with 16 winners so far this season.

. HOOFNOTE: As if by fate, Buchanan also had success for Mackenzie at Wyong yesterday, scoring with Oakfield Badger ($8.50), another Bullock ride, in the closer, the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1000m), narrowly defeating fellow Wyong trainer Kim Waugh’s Bellenth ($4).

There was added joy for Buchanan as she also qualified Broadway Bouncer for next Saturday’s $1m Provincial-Midway Championships Final (1400m) at Royal Randwick.

Broadway Bouncer ($10), after being the deepest on the home turn, was a late closing close third to French Ruler and Magnatear in the Wild Card (1350m); all three placegetters gaining the last spots in the 15-horse Final field.

Story John Curtis, April 4, 2025 - Pics Bradley Photos