Talented stayer The Map can continue a massive week for the Dan Clarken and Oopy MacGillivray stable in Saturday’s $150,000 Group 3 Lord Reims Stakes (2600m) at Morphettville.
The stable had plenty of reasons for a midweek celebration when their apprentice Tala Hutchinson was successful aboard Dunmaghlas at her first day of race riding and just her second race ride at Strathalbyn on Wednesday.
“We got a real good kick out of that,’’ Clarken said.
“A lot of people were questioning us putting her on a $1.80 favourite at her first day of race riding, but I think good young riders are a lot like good young horses, they either stand up under pressure or they don’t.
“We are looking forward to watching her career progress, I think she’s got a very bright future,’’ he said.
The Map returns to Morphettville on the back of an emphatic return to racing when she blitzed rivals first-up from a short spell to win the JRA Plate over 2000m and Clarken said she was tracking perfectly towards next month’s Group 2 Adelaide Cup at Morphettville.
“The Map is awesome,’’ Clarken said.
“It was a brilliant return the other day and she’s benefited greatly from the outing, she was a bit pretty in the parade ring still.
“This isn’t her grand final by any means but going by the way she won and how she toyed with them at Flemington she’s going to really appreciate getting out in trip this weekend,’’ he said.
The Map has been well found since betting opened and is marked a $2.50 favourite with tab.com.au ahead of Victorian visitor Grand Promenade at $2.90.
Placed in last year’s edition when with Ciaron Maher, Grand Promenade is now in the hands of Shane Jackson at Warrnambool.
