Morphettville Wrap Up – September 16

As a sign of things to come, this past weekend provided a perfect combination of horse racing action and amazing weather. The track was bathed in sunshine and the crowd followed for the ten races that were on offer across the day.

The feature race of the day was the W H Wylie Handicap, over 1100m which had several starters from Morphettville trainers.

The Listed race was taken out by the Jon O’Connor-trained mare, Grey River, in a dominant performance from the four-year-old.

It was a result that was some time in the making for the team.

“Any win is satisfying, but to get a black type first up means a bit more,” O’Connor said.

“She hasn’t had a win for a while now, and to come out and race as well as she did in an all-ages race is pleasing.

“She will go back to the paddock for a break now, before we head to Melbourne on Caulfield Guineas Day,” he said.

The Richard & Chantelle Jolly stables scored an early double with Our Shining Star taking the honours in the first race under Joke Toeroek, before the Kayla Crowther/Montepulciano combination edged out stable mate Does It in Race 4.

Winning four out of his past seven races, Chantelle Jolly was pleased by the win.

“He’s just going great. Kayla has been doing a lot of work with him on her farm.

“He’s the sort of horse that likes to take control and Kayla gets along with him really well,” she said.

It was another winning weekend for Will Clarken & Niki O’Shea who come home with a training double on the day through Royal Handed (breaking her maiden first up) in a tight finish and Sixteen Reasons took advantage of a gap off the rail and finished the final 400m extremely strong.

Will Clarken spoke highly of Linda Meech and Sixteen Reasons after the race.

“She pricked her ears late and finished the race very well.

“Linda Meech is a strong rider and got a bit more out of the mare than others have from him,” he said.

Andrew Gluyas scored his first win at Headquarters since taking on solo training duties with Lovely Lookin’ breaking her maiden second up.

After a good run first up, Gluyas said things went well this race.

“She’s been a bit of hard work, but Jason (Holder) and Caitlin (Jones) have done a great job with her.

“As an early season three-year-old she looks like she has some ability. It will be interesting to see where she will take us,” he said.