Ain'tnodeeldun stamped himself as a future star, justifying pre-race expectations with his dominant Hill Smith Stakes win at Morphettville on the weekend.
The Victorian colt was ridden perfectly by Dom Tourneur to hold off a game Victoria Quay in the $100,000 Listed feature (1800m).
Despite the $2 million carrot of the Group 1 Victoria Derby dangling in front of connections, trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman said the stable would instead focus on some big races in the autumn.
“He still has some maturing to do so I don’t want to give him a gut buster in the Derby,” Anthony Freedman said.
“I think he will be a better horse in the autumn so we will give him a light spring and lift the bar in the autumn with him.”
Promising three-year-old Mileva was back to her brilliant best at Morphettville after a disappointing effort in Melbourne last time out.
Controlling the race on speed, Mileva pulled away from rivals in the straight to hold off a fast-finishing Kirinia, who caught the eye of plenty first-up from a break.
Danny O’Brien’s Somerset Maugham made it two wins in Adelaide over the past three weeks when he scored a soft 3.4-length win early in the day, while Ritratto continues to build on what looms as a promising campaign with his second successive win for trainer Mick Huxtable.
It was the horse’s fifth win from 12 starts. Meanwhile the stable was thrilled with Ecumenical, who was brave in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas at Caulfield when fourth behind Odeum. SA filly Instant Celebrity was also super, coming from the back of the field to run third.
Instant Celebrity’s dual-state trainer Phillip Stokes made amends just over 30 minutes late at Caulfield when Mr Quickie returned to form, winning the Group 1 Toorak Handicap with Jamie Kah in the saddle. It was Kah’s third Group 1 success, a moment made even better given she combined with a South Australian trainer.
“I’ve been hanging out to ride a Group 1 winner for an Adelaide supporter of mine and I’ve finally done it,” Kah said.
“He’s such a talented horse on his day, I’d love to stick with him.”
Kah is hoping to continue her rise up the Melbourne riding ranks as the spring carnival hits top gear, with her booking aboard two-time Melbourne Cup placegetter Prince Of Arran in both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.
“I’m really excited to be able to ride in a Melbourne Cup this year, things are looking pretty good,” Kah said.
Stokes was full of praise for Kah, who leads the Melbourne riding premiership, after she had the horse away smartly before racing away from rivals.
“Jamie, gee she gave him a peach of a ride, it was a pleasure to watch,” Stokes said.
“When he jumped, I was confident a long way out.”
HORSES TO FOLLOW
CASHIN’ CHEX (Race 4)
Slashing run from the back, making good ground behind Deep Speed.
KIRINIA (Race 5)
Got a long way back first-up before flashing late behind Mileva and looks in for a good preparation.
PASSING PHASE (Race 8)
Super effort in the Hill Smith Stakes behind Ain’tnodeeldun and surely wins a maiden next time out.
