Olonana beats the storm home at Randwick | Gossip On Sports

Olonana beats the storm home at Randwick - Olonana rocketed along the fence to score a thrilling win in the Group Two Challenge Stakes but minutes later the victory was overshadowed by a flash storm that hit Randwick on Saturday.

The bulk of the 11,477-strong crowd were on the public lawn and scurried to find shelter almost as soon as the John O'Shea-trained Olonana went past the winning post in the 1000-metre feature.

"That's six months of planning for her to win this race and I can't tell you how happy I am," O'Shea said.

"We thought about going to Melbourne with her but I picked out the Challenge, it doesn't always come off like this so when it does it's very special."

Olonana's win gave owners Scott and Rachel Perrin a big day after they earlier celebrated the win of a horse they part-own, Largo Lad, in the Group Two Blamey Stakes at Flemington.

"I'm so happy for the Perrins, they've had such a great day and I can't wait to catch up with them and celebrate this win," O'Shea said.

"We'll take her to The Galaxy now."

O'Shea praised Tim Clark for his ride after he saved Olonana up for a dramatic finishing burst along the rails.

"I told Tim not to be scared of running along the rails and he deserves praise for the ride, he gave her a lovely quiet ride," O'Shea said.

Hoystar charged home to finish three-quarters of a length second with Fantene the same margin away third.

Olonana's win gave three-year-old fillies two Challenge Stakes in a row after Hurried Choice triumphed last year.

About 10 minutes after the race, the storm disappeared and the sun was back at Randwick but the track was downgraded from good to dead.

The Group One The Galaxy (1100m) is at Randwick on April 11.