MURRAY Bridge trainer Michael Hickmott has his eye on South Australian country cup features with former New Zealand pair Aqueduct and Peloton.
The pair were two thirds of a Hickmott treble at Morphettville on Saturday as the stable continues to impressive, having produced 11 winners from just 23 starters in the 2020-21 season.
Aqueduct made it two wins from two starts on Australian soil and will be targeted towards next month’s Murray Bridge Cup while Hickmott is hoping Peloton can sneak into the $100,000 Balaklava Cup on September 16.
“He (Peloton) is a beautiful horse. I love these tough horses that try,” Hickmott said post-race.
“I hope today gets his rating up enough to go to the Balaklava Cup; I think he’s going to be a great chance with 54kg.”
Lady Bethany was the third winner for the stable, all ridden by Victorian apprentice Jessica Eaton, who is enjoying a brilliant time since making the move to South Australia.
“I’ve kind of landed in Adelaide with a dream run,” Eaton said
“Michael’s stable is flying, we’re getting good support and they’re running really well.”
Morphettville was again dominated by the girls with Kayla Crowther also riding a treble for the Phillip Stokes stable and Anna Jordsjo a double.
The Stokes stable will aim Seemingly Discreet at the W H Wylie Handicap at Morphettville on September 19 while Dan Clarken and Oopy MacGillivray’s unbeaten filly Mileva will continue on towards the Group 1 Thousand Guineas after she proved too smart for a field loaded with talent early in the day.
It was another massive day for South Australian racing interstate.
Giant Killer Gytrash lived up to his new nickname, nailing boom Sprinter Nature Strip in the Group 3 Concorde Stakes in Sydney, while Sangster Stakes winner Bella Vella was brilliant winning the McEwen Stakes at Moonee Valley first-up from a spell.
Will Clarken will head to the Group 1 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley with Bella Vella after recording her third win from four starts at the track.
“She’s a hard horse to gauge,” Clarken said, “but there is definitely some fitness to come.”
HORSES TO FOLLOW
ALLEBOOM
Was under pressure a long way out but kept finding first-up behind Mileva and looks in for a good campaign.
SELF SUFFICIENT
Slow into stride and wanted to duck in on straightening before flattening out and getting to the line nicely behind Galaxy Keeper. Stable flying and he’s worth following.
MAGIC SUNSET
Very good return from a long lay-off when she was only reeled in late.
