Great Eastern Steeplechase
The Great Eastern Steeplechase is an Australian Thoroughbred steeplechase horse race held annually at Oakbank, South Australia on Easter Saturday and Monday at the Oakbank Racecourse as part of the Oakbank Easter Racing Carnival. The first fixture of that name was held in 1877,[1] following a race in 1876 which has been called the "Onkaparinga Handicap Steeplechase";[2] both just prior to formation of the Onkaparinga Racing Club (now Oakbank Racing Club).
The distance of the race is 4950 metres making it the second longest horse race held on a public course in Australia.
The most famous jump is the fallen log which is literally a log about a metre high. All other jumps are brush fences. The height of jumps has been reduced in recent years to reduce the risk of falls and make for safer racing.
The race uses a different course to other races held at Oakbank with horse using an inner track passing on the inside of a hill. Unlike other races that require two race callers the Great Eastern can be viewed in its entirety from the grandstand.
Past winners
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References
- ^ "Onkaparinga Annual Races". South Australian Register. Vol. XLII, no. 9480. South Australia. 3 April 1877. p. 6. Retrieved 25 June 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "History". The Canberra Times. Vol. 66, no. 20, 823. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 17 April 1992. p. 10. Retrieved 25 June 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ 2014 result
- ^ 2013 result
- ^ 2012 result
- ^ 2011 result
- ^ 2010 result
- ^ 2001 result