In search of a sixteenth career victory, the gallant veteran Sharjah gave his all from the front in the concluding Meath Handicap (Div 2) but had to give best in the final hundred yards as Oromo (28/1) landed the spoils under Rachael Blackmore.

The well-bred winner, by High Chaparral, had scored over hurdles at Perth last year but was a long-standing maiden on the Flat coming into this race. At the line the winner was three quarters of a length and the same ahead of Sharjah (7/1) and Milford Sound (14/1). The well-fancied pair Razoul (9/4 fav) and Tronador (5/2) made no impression in the home straight.

“He's a grand little genuine horse. We got back surgery done on him during the winter and it's obviously made a difference,” said winning trainer Karl Thornton.

“He's one-paced and you just have to keep going forward with him. He's that grade and that's him.

“Rachael was very good on him.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson