Saturday's Morphettville Parks Races Report
- Sunday, 13 February 2011 23:57
Punters were in fine form early when the first two favourites saluted the judge on the Parks track at Morphettville on Saturday.
The first was the $2.50 public elect Obsidian Dragon which gave trainer David Balfour a five length win in the first event which was run over 1000 metres.
Having the services of Clare Lindop the Hidden Dragon sired Obsidian Dragon, from the Monde Bleu mare Aradina, led throughout and beat the Matthew Williams cared for Dean Yendall guided Pyrenees Express $7.50. Conquering Queen $5 was a long neck away third for Robert Smerdon and apprentice Jack Hill.
David Balfour said after the win that Obsidian Dragon will now be targeted at the 1000 metre listed Redela Stakes on February 26 and the 1200 metre Group 2 three-year-old Yalambee Classic on March 14.
Apprentice Jacob Rule and mentor Darren Weir continued their success at Morphettville when the $2.15 favourite Streaky Fella was the short head winner of the 2400 metre second race.
From the Noalcoholic mare Felia and fathered by the Irish bred Street Cry, Streaky Fella came with a withering run from the rear of the field to beat the Matthew Cornish and Denis Gaskin mentored Prussia Island $41. A long head away third was the $6.50 returned Stakhanovite for Gary Searle and Adrian Patterson.
Jockey Simon Price rode the first leg of a double when he steered Exalted Beauty $8 to a length victory in the 1950 metre third event.
A five year old Blevic mare out of Exalted Miss, a Keepers mare, Exalted Beauty was well placed before going on to beat the Micxhael Templeton cared for apprentice Billy Egan guided Prinsom, the $3.20 punter’s choice. Shogun Warrior $71 was another two and a half lengths away filling the minor placing for Paul Beshara and apprentice Jackson Matthews.
Starting at $7 Mystic Moment gave horse carer Darren Magro and apprentice Jordon Frew a head win in race four which was contested over 1400 metres.
Fathered by the Lindsay Park sire Barely A Moment, from the End Sweep mare Magic Broom, Mystic Moment will now progress to the H.C.Nitschke Stakes over 1400 metres at listed level on February 26. Mystic Moment beat the Michael Hickmott mentored Jacob Rule piloted Always Discreet $4. Carrying the number two saddle cloth the $3-10 favourite Aetos was a farther half length away third for Tim Snelling and Todd Pannell.
The Irish bred stallion Falbrav and the Kenmare mare Cha Cha produced the short head winner of the 1400 metre fifth race Homicide Hank $7.
Trained by Jon O’Connor and ridden by Jeffrey Maund Homicide Hank was in the first four for the entire event and beat stable-mate, the Dominic Tourneur mount Road Warrior $4. The $1.75 favourite Candle was a farther short neck away third for Tony McEvoy and Jordon Frew.
Gawler mentor Gary Searle won his second race in three days and jockey Simon Price brought up his double when Grand Taj scored a long neck win in the 1000 metre sixth event.
An Elusive Quality three year old gelding out of Coming Up Roses, a Rubiton matron, Grand Taj settled third before going to the lead and beating the $2-70 public elect Belle Chantecler for trainer Lee Freedman and hoop Mark Pegus. Stravinsky Code $7 was another short neck away third for John Hyam and Troy Baker.
Gary Searle said after the win of Grand Taj that he will look toward running the gelding in the 1000 metre listed Redelva Stakes on the Parks track on February 26 instead of nominating for the first heat of the Provincial Super Series at Balaklava a day later.
An all the way win saw the David Jolly prepared Paul Gatt mount Budriguez bring up a quartet of wins in race seven which was run over 1250 metres.
Starting at $7 the Al Maher sired Budriguez scored a half length win over the John Thompson provided Matthew Neilson ridden Nevzlin $11. Side Splitter $4 was another three quarters of a length away third for Robert Smerden and apprentice Jack Hill.
The Victorian western districts combination of mentor Matthew Williams and jockey Dean Yendall tasted success when the $9 returned Desatin was the one and a quarter length winner of 1400 metre final event.
From the Gold Carat matron Tina’s Debut and fathered by Desert Sun, Desatin came from last to beat Cavalry Back $26 for horse carer Dean Pannell and lady hoop Tamara Zanker.
Another $26 chance Dark Knight was a farther short half head away third for John Croucher and Jeffrey Maund.
