Victorian filly Scorched Earth torched rivals to continue the amazing 2020-21 season for jockey Jessica Eaton in the inaugural Magic Millions SA 2YO Classic at Murray Bridge on Saturday.
It was a dominant performance by the John Moloney-trained favourite, who controlled the race from her good barrier before leaving rivals standing when asked for effort by Eaton on straightening and winning by five lengths.
“She was a delight to ride,” Eaton said.
“The plan wasn’t necessarily to lead as we thought there might be some speed in the race.
“But as it turned out she was very comfortable in front and then when I asked her to accelerate she really sprinted well.”
And it wasn’t just Eaton who walked away with a beaming smile, with Stacey Metcalfe’s rise up the riding ranks continuing with another city treble.
She won three consecutive races aboard Justica, Azzureous and Kyshaka and has already recorded 17 winners since making SA home in December.
Trainer Ryan Balfour’s promising three-year-old Outlaws Revenge was again impressive, making it three wins in succession while Travis Double will aim Struck By at some better races after he made it successive city-class wins beating Another Award by two lengths.
Doudle took that winning form to Balaklava on Sunday when another promising three-year-old, Casino Seventeen, scored impressively first-up from a spell.
The lightly-raced youngster hadn’t started since the Hill Smith Stakes at Morphettville in the spring and gave apprentice Ben Price an armchair ride as he trotted in to score by 3.7 lengths.
And over the border Peter Jolly’s Morvada gave All-Star Mile selectors something to think about with his dominant win in the Shaftesbury Avenue Handicap at Flemington.
“I definitely want to get him to the All-Star Mile,” Jolly said as he hopes to join sons David and Richard along with granddaughter Chantelle with a runner in the $5m feature.
“The horse is doing the talking,” Peter said.
“I’ve always had confidence in the horse and he’s delivered.”
And there will be plenty of SA flavour at Flemington on Saturday.
Dalasan is set to resume in the Group 1 Newmarket alongside Kemalpasa, with Bold Star and Bella Vella also likely runners, while Jon O’Connor’s Smokin’ Val heading toward the Listed Moomba Plate over 1100m.
