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Fields of Omagh
Profile of a Champion
By Rubiton from Finneto
Page 3
 

Secure in the knowledge that Fields of Omagh would now get into the city races Tony McEvoy sent him back to Melbourne for the Hong Kong Jockey Club Plate.  The race was run straight after the Melbourne Cup won by Ethereal and the weather was cool and showery.  Drawn in gate 19 it was considered a huge drawback to his chances and many commentators dismissed any winning chances.  No one told Fields of Omagh though and soon after the start he dropped to the rear of the field.  Geronimo Run took up the lead from Aquiver then Jade Prince followed by Taberann with Neptune’s Journey three wide as Fields of Omagh made ground in front of favourite Thong Classic and classy Shot of Thunder.  Around the long home turn Fields of Omagh made up steady ground as Geronimo Run kicked clear.  Inside the 400m Geronimo Run held the rails as the rest of the field headed by Prince Benbara went wide with Fields of Omagh making ground through the pack.  By the 200m Fields of Omagh and Shot of Thunder had come through to hit the front with Thong Classic running on.  By the clock tower Fields of Omagh sprinted clear to storm past the post two lengths ahead of Thong Classic with Shot of Thunder third.  A tv commentator commented that he ‘looks a smart horse’ while in the after race interview Bryan Martin commented that the race win was ‘like a Cox Plate to us’. 

Striding to the line	Winning easily
Passing the Post	Still well ahead
Returning to scale	After winning at Victoria Park

Just over two weeks later Fields of Omagh headed to Sandown and the Eclipse Stakes over 2119m.  While a good horses race it is run too late in the spring to attract the established superstars, however Super Impose won the race on his way to stardom – could Fields of Omagh do the same?  Sent out as favourite Fields of Omagh was fourth last past the post the first time as Aquiver led Altiro then Piper’s Star followed by Tiger Eye at a fast pace early.  By the 1000m the pace slowed considerably resulting in bad interference going through the field including Fields of Omagh.  Around the turn Fields of Omagh was still fourth last in the 16 horse field as a line of four shared the lead with Aquiver challenged by Piper’s Star as El Cabayo ran on with Fields of Omagh trying to get clear.  By the 300m Fields of Omagh finally saw daylight and started to chase the leaders with Thong Classic also starting to make ground.  Inside the 200m Fields of Omagh hit full speed and the race was soon all over as he powered home crossing the line ¾ length in front from Thong Classic with Aquiver third.

After the race	Cooling down
Keeping an eye on the camera

But then it all went wrong soon news came through that Fields of Omagh had injured his nearside suspensory ligament.  While Kingston Town had overcome similar injuries during his career many horses never do and there was the possibly that Fields of Omagh may never return to the racetrack.  He was sent to Lindsay Park in South Australia for a long spell and to prepare for a comeback the following spring.

	Posing for head shots
With connections	After race presentation

Fields of Omagh did make it back and lined up in the Auries Star Hcp the following August.  Fields of Omagh settled back on the grandstand rail division as Prince Rubiton led along the inside rail.  On the grandstand side Tuscanos led Pindi Ridge and Dash for Cash with Fields of Omagh two lengths behind the leaders.  By the 300m Pindi Ridge led the outside division as Fields of Omagh came to the centre of the track.  By the 200m Prince Rubiton led on the rails and Pindi Ridge down the outside but Fields of Omagh was storming home between them down the centre.  By the 100m Fields of Omagh was in front and raced away to win by a length from Pindi Ridge with Gypsy Lad third. 

While Fields of Omagh had been on the sidelines there was a new star that had emerged from the West when Northerly who won the previous Cox Plate had been narrowly beaten in the Australian Cup.  With Sunline in the twilight of her career and not racing in her best form the Cox Plate was wide open.  In Sydney the new hero was a black 4yo stallion in Lonhro who had won a string of races in a row.  The first clash of members of the quartet was in the Memsie Stakes over 1400m at Caulfield where Fields of Omagh met Northerly.  By the 800m Dash for Cash led Flavour followed by Northerly and Fields of Omagh then Magical Miss.  Around the turn Dash for Cash and Flavour were joined by Fields of Omagh and The Pumper then Magical Miss and Northerly.  Dash for Cash, Flavour and Fields of Omagh were spread across the track by the 200m from The Pumper with Magical Miss out wider.  Fields of Omagh edged ahead from Dash for Cash by the 100m but Magical Miss had the last run at them to win from Fields of Omagh with Dash for Cash third and Northerly unplaced.  It was Fields of Omagh’s first run at Weight for Age.

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