The first of the features on harness racings big day at Menangle today was the New South Wales Oaks and all week it was touted as a two horse war between Delight Me and Fight For Glory.
Both of these runners had been super impressive in the heats last week but the draw had treated Delight Me really well with her drawing barrier one where as Fight For Glory had been given the visitors draw of eleven.
The pair were even money earlier in the week but as we got closer to the race the money continued to come for Fight For Glory and she started the favourite today.
As expected Delightful Lana and Dexter Dunn flew the gate and grabbed an early lead from barrier nine with Makes Every Scents and Luke McCarthy settling into the trail.
Delight Me and Gavin Lang were slow out from barrier one while Fight For Glory and Natalie Rasmussen came out fast and ended up in the death seat early with Delight Me getting onto her back.
After 600 metres Natalie pushed the go button and surged to the front but not before Dexter made her work for it.
That left Delight Me parked and Natalie kept Fight For Glory running making Delight Me's job even harder.
Passing the 800 metres mark Natalie gave Fight For Glory her head and she roared down the back in 27.2 with Delight Me and Delightful Lana starting to feel the pinch a bit.
Just when you would think Fight For Glory would be vulnerable she paced away from her competition with another quarter of 27.2 to win with a breathtaking performance.
Delight Me fought on gamely for second with Delightful Lana fighting just as strongly for third with Smooth Showgirl finishing on late for fourth.
Not only was the performance of Fight For Glory to win from barrier nine super impressive but her overall time of 2:50.3 was a new race record to boot.
Fight For Glory is a daughter of Art Major from the former New Zealand record holder Breath Of Life 1:56.9 ($109,034) and has hit a purple patch of form with todays victory her fourth in a row.
Harnesslink Media