Short-course speed sensation Oriental Amber is now a dual provincial track record-holder after breaking Shepparton’s 385-metre track record last night.
Trained by Rod Clark, the “Toolleen Tornado” clocked a ‘cyclonic’ 21.35sec – shaving 0.03sec (half-length) off the previous mark of 21.38sec, set by the Mark Morrissey-trained Paddy’s Marvel on March 20.
Oriental Amber also established a new mark over Horsham’s 410m circuit on February 16. She semaphored a sizzling 22.64sec – ironically lowering the Morrissey-trained Benchester’s track record.
Only fairly away from the ‘black’ trap last night, Oriental Amber ($1.50F) displayed dazzling acceleration to move into second rounding the first bend before hitting the lead in the home straight and forging away for a comfortable win.
She defeated early ‘pilot’ Man Absconded ($5.20) by 1.8L, with her kennelmate Helen’s Memory ($10.00) a further 2.5L away third.
“It was such a monstrous run as she copped a few checks… She’s such a great little chaser,” Clark said.
“I thought she could break the record with a clear run. She didn’t quite get that but still got the job done.
“The only thing that lets her down is box rise; she needs a little bit of room to explode. But she’s definitely going faster now than when she broke the Horsham record.”
A recent Ballarat Cup finalist, Oriental Amber has won eight of her past 12 starts and is three from four over this track/distance. She also won the Shepparton Matchmakers final (450m) on March 6.
Owned by the Bart’s syndicate, managed by Nigel Hebart, Oriental Amber (Dec ’18 Aston Dee Bee x Oriental Jewel) has won 19 races from 36 starts and $53,020 in prizemoney.
Clark said Oriental Amber will be “kept nice and fresh” and aimed towards the G2 Warrnambool Cup series (450m) – fourth and final leg of the ‘Western Festival of Racing’ – commencing on April 29.
