Volcanic Express charges home for remarkable win in Hills Railway Stakes at Oakbank

David Jolly knew there was a big win in his speedster Volcanic Express, and it finally came with an explosive win in Hills Railway Stakes at Oakbank.

Volcanic Express charges home to win the Hills Railway Stakes at Oakbank on Saturday. Picture: Makoto Kaneko

David Jolly may be accommodating star sprinter Asfoora for Henry Dwyer, but it’s clear he has an exciting speedster in his own ranks after Volcanic Express exploded down the Oakbank straight to win Easter Saturday’s Listed Hills Railway Stakes.

Drifting wide on the turn as the field charged down the hill, Volcanic Express was near last, and a huge margin from race leader Sir Sway at the top of the straight, but flew home with a blistering turn of foot under the riding of Justin Potter.

• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet’s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

Jolly has always held the son of Hualalai in high regard, and a feature win in Saturday’s $140,000 Hills Railway (1100m) is an indication we could be about to see the gelding deliver on that promise.

“I’ve always had a lot of faith in the horse, ever since the early days,” Jolly, who is based at Goolwa, said.

“I knew there was a big win in him, it was just a matter of when and where.

“He was probably getting beaten a little bit in restricted races with less weight.

“I said, ‘I’d love to try a race with good speed, (an) open sprint, where he can sort of get over the top of them and show his wares’, that worked out well for him today.”

It takes Volcanic Express to four wins from 10 starts, the consistent gelding has never finished further back than fourth.

Volcanic Express erupts down the outside & up in grade, swoops home to take out the Railway Stakes 🌋 pic.twitter.com/MjM0o46fCK

— Racing.com (@Racing) April 19, 2025

• Jimmysstar shines in All Aged triumph as Maher eyes Everest

Sir Kingsford was another impressive winner on Saturday, pulling off a gritty frontrunning win in the $107,250 Onkaparinga Cup (2150m) under the riding of Teagan Voorham.

The talented gelding, who has won nine races, is proving himself as a formidable stayer for trainers Gary & Nicole Searle & Brianna Callanan, and the team are now targeting the Port Adelaide Cup next month over 2500m.

It was another landmark day for Aaron Bain and Ned Taylor, the duo have enjoyed a brilliant autumn so far, and claimed the $107,250 Simon Tolley The Vintage (1400m) with Rubamos. Ridden by gun apprentice Taylor Johnstone, the pair withstood a strong challenge by Favourite Child to win a head bobbing finish.

Promising filly Teardrop Rotation, trained by Chris Bieg, kicked off her campaign with a win in the $107,250 The Shillabeer (1400m) under the riding of Felicity Atkinson, it was the first win of a race-to-race double for Atkinson, who shortly after won the Country Cup aboard We’ve Gotta Deel for Sue and Jason Jaensch.

Todd Pannell secured a riding double, winning Saturday’s opening two races aboard Pamiers and Up The Den, while Johnstone steered Beauty Bound to victory in the last race on the nine-race card, securing her riding honours with Atkinson and Pannell.

Originally published as Volcanic Express charges home for remarkable win in Hills Railway Stakes at Oakbank