Grand Syndicates claimed the Group 3 Spring Stakes at Morphettville on Saturday, but it wasn’t with the horse many expected.
Talented grey Calypso Reign upstaged his multiple Group 1 winning stablemate Behemoth and a group of handy horses to give trainer David Jolly a third straight win in the feature.
Jolly summed it up as a result with “mixed emotions”.
The winner was superb while Behemoth blew his chances at the start when he jumped awkwardly and almost lost his rider when he threw his head back connecting with Paul Gatt’s head.
“He’s been going really well,’’ Jolly said of Calypso Reign who will stay in Adelaide and chase the Listed Leon Macdonald Stakes over 1400m.
“I’m glad, I encouraged Kayla (Crowther) to go that way,’’ he said.
The Spring Stakes win continued Crowther’s outstanding connection with the horse having been in the saddle at six of Calypso Reign’ eight wins from just 26 starts.
“He’s always been one of my favourites,’’ Crowther said.
“He’s an absolute beauty, he won that easy,’’ she said.
Ryan Hurdle took Morphettville riding honours with a treble aboard John Hyam’s Born To Run, Ziggi Rocks (Garret Lynch) before finishing the day by giving Greg Lesnikowski and Ryan Hannemann their first city success since joining forces in the last race of the day.
MEANWHILE promising South Australian mare I Am Bene franked the Lightning Stakes form when she proved too good at her Melbourne debut.
Andrew Clarken went to Melbourne using the trip as a guide to her spring plans and she delivered in spades showing a brilliant turn of foot to run down rivals from the back of the field.
“She’s a good mare,’’ Clarken said.
“I think the trip will grow her up, she’s still a little immature,’ he said.
Clarken has his sights on the Paris Lane over 1400m during the Flemington Carnival.
“The 1400m at Flemington, big roomy track will suit her,’’ Clarken said.
AT Port Augusta on Sunday one of SA's new training partnerships, Shane and Cassie Oxlade landed their first win with the first official runner when One More Grandy was successful.
And apprentice Lachlan Overall celebrated his great first season of riding claiming the Port Augusta Riding Premiership winning aboard Paulo Pace for top local trainer Kylie McKerlie.
