Watch 📺 Kangaroo nearly causes chaos during race

There was drama at Warren in NSW on Saturday as a rogue kangaroo made a chaotic dash across the track during the opening race, narrowly avoiding a major mishap.

The 2400m Benchmark 58 contest had just reached the home turn when the unexpected intruder bounded directly across the path of the 11-runner field, causing gasps from spectators and concern for the jockeys.

Ridden by Shannen Llewellyn, the Connie Greig-trained Joshua had moved up strongly along the rail and looked poised to strike before the kangaroo leapt into the fray.

Sharp-eyed viewers spotted the marsupial near the 1400m marker, and moments later it darted across the track in front of the fast-charging horses, managing to escape unscathed.

Thankfully, riders showed impressive composure, and the race continued uninterrupted. The longshot Will To Excel, trained by James Ponsonby and piloted by Jake Pracey-Holmes, claimed victory at odds of $30 with online betting site swiftbet.

Joshua held on for second while David Smith’s Instead finished third ahead of Mack Griffith’s Wolf Club.