Oakford shines on Kiss The Condor

RICHIE Oakford at times plays second fiddle to leading Top End jockey Brendon Davis for the all-conquering Gary Clarke stable in Darwin.

However, the veteran is a highly-talented rider who showed his class guiding fouryear-old gelding Kiss The Condor to victory in the On Fire Racing Handicap (1000m) at Fannie Bay yesterday.

It also meant back-to-back wins for Oakford after getting the cash on board King Kazou.

Against 0-76 opposition, Kiss The Condor jumped well and hit the front with the Kerry Petrick trained Poet’s Choice (Felicia Bergstrand), the Carl Spry trained El Toranado (Paul Shiers) and the Clarke’s Alcobro (Brendon Davis) giving chase.

Kiss The Condor looked comfortable in front as the field swung for home and he went on to win by just over a length.

Poet’s Choice, the top weight, held on to run second and more than made up for a disappointing fifth over 1200m at Adelaide River on June 3.

Alcobro held on for third and El Toranado grabbed fourth place, while other horses in the race failed to make an impression.

That included the Michael Hickmott five-year-old gelding Invitations (Raymond Vigar).

Boasting decent form in Adelaide, Invitations ($2.60 fav) was making his debut at Fannie Bay with the five-year-old gelding finishing seventh.

It proved again it takes time for new faces to the Top End to adapt to the dirt of Fannie Bay.

Kiss The Condor has now posted three wins and a second in his last four starts.

“I’ve got a good opinion of the horse and it was a good win,” said a delighted Gary Clarke.

“He is still immature, but the horse has plenty of ability.

“I’d like to think that I’m getting him there as far as becoming a really good horse.

“I’ve got no plans for him as far as the Cup Carnival is concerned – we’ll just have to find those races that suite him.

“The Palmerston Sprint is highly unlikely, but it could be a different story next year.”

Former Black Caviar trainer Peter Moody is a part owner of Kiss The Condor.