No one should forget Oulaghan's ability with his top-line jumpers in the past decade.
The ability to train jumpers and top flat horses equally is not unknown, but Oulaghan's record puts him alongside John Wheeler among modern day trainers.
Another local trainer Lisa Latta is forging towards records herself and Justanexcuse's victory in the $70,000 Harcourts Challenge Stakes, the second Manawatu feature, is yet another example of why. Latta's training form in recent seasons has been remarkable.
Many of Latta's horses are not what you would describe as absolute stars, but look at the earnings of those she raced on Saturday.
You wouldn't put Justanexcuse in the top 20 horses of the past five years, yet he's won a quarter of a million dollars.
So has Manonamission, although Latta hasn't trained him exclusively throughout his career.
Sacha, an honest mare who doesn't have a fan club, had $166,050 before Saturday and Platinum Zana, another now-and-again mare, is close to $200,000.
Whether or not it was because of sitting outside the leader, hot favourite for the sprint, leading 3-year-old Antonio Lombardo, was disappointing in fading over the closing 175m.
Twilight Savings looked more than a little stiff behind Justanexcuse. She was jostled in a tight gap between horses at the 320m and rallied strongly to take ground off the winner from the 150m.
Twilight Savings is a big, lanky mare who appreciates plenty of room.
Dating held on well for second without threatening over the last 100m and Joku hinted at a return to the winner's circle with his third.
