LANE’S RUN OF MINOR PLACINGS ENDS AT SCONE

• 

DAMIEN Lane went back to the “scene of the crime” at Scone today to put paid to a run of minor placings.

The Wyong trainer won the Class 1 Handicap (1200m) with $31 outsider All Too Sneaky, ridden by Reece Jones.

It was his first victory since Oakfield Saturn took a Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1700m) at the Scone metropolitan carnival on May 16.

Lane has had nine minor placings since that success, and All Too Sneaky’s breakthrough followed two of those at his home track yesterday with Wealthy Investor (third at $31) and Sneaky Sofia, who made the running before finishing second at $15.

“It’s been frustrating for sure, and nice to get back in the winning list today,” Lane said en route home.

• 

“All Too Sneaky has had a few issues, and her victory certainly wasn’t out of turn either (her only previous win was on debut at Dubbo three years ago, and she has been placed 11 times since).

“She is a mare who has been around the money, but just hasn’t stuck her head out at the right time.

‘Her two runs back this preparation were good, and I wasn’t surprised she broke through today.

“I told Reece (Jones) before the race I considered her a Top 4 chance, and he rode her well.

“She finished the race off nicely, and said afterwards that she was very genuine.

“Hopefully she can keep that form up and win another race soon.”

All Too Sneaky finished gamely to defeat a late closing Panta Rhei ($5.50) and Iron Fury ($6.50).

Lane has one of his two Provincial-Midway Championships finalists Oakfield Jupiter back in work, and she will contest an 800m trial at Gosford in the morning.

Leading Newcastle trainer Kris Lees’ Lord Of Biscay, who won the $1m PMC Final (1400m) at Royal Randwick in April, is in the same heat.

• 

“Oakfield Jupiter is coming along nicely and will have a second trial after tomorrow before she resumes in town in September.” Lane said.

However, stablemate Oakfield Saturn, who also contested the PMC Final before winning at the Scone carnival, won’t be seen again this year.

“Unfortunately she damaged a tendon a couple of weeks after Scone when we were preparing to take her to Brisbane for a race there,” Lane said.

“She will have 12 months’ rehab.”

. Prolific owner Bruce Mackenzie, who races both Oakfield Jupiter and Oakfield Saturn, at least had some joy at Scone today.

Oakfield Iowa (Aaron Bullock), trained by Lees, broke through at her fourth appearance in the Maiden Handicap (1300m) as a $2.35 favorite after placings at her first three starts.

STORY JOHN CURTIS, AUGUST 17, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS