Can another chapter be unearthed when the barriers open in the $1m Group 1 Goodwood on the third and final day of the 2024 Adelaide Racing Carnival at Morphettville on Saturday?
Local boy Lachlan Neindorf chasing the Group 1 Sangster Stakes and Goodwood double aboard the Phillip Stokes-trained Climbing Star while superstar jockey Jamie Kah will chase her second Group 1 victory in as many weeks when she tries to give the Jason Warren-trained Benedetta that elusive win at the top level.
Will Clarken is searching for another major on his home turf and first with training partner Niki O’Shea with comeback galloper Extremely Lucky, to be ridden by leading SA rider Jake Toeroek chasing his first Group 1 win.
“How often do you have a chance of running a horse like this in your own backyard for one million dollars,’’ Clarken said.
Or could one of the local outsiders upstage their big-name interstate counterparts.
Young Morphettville trainer Cody Reardon saddling up Grinzinger Prince, a $12,000 buy from the online auctions, with Emily Finnegan taking the ride.
While one of SA’s most progressive stables Aaron Bain and Ned Taylor have their first Group 1 runner with former New South Wales galloper Rubamos.
“We’re under no false illusions that we’re an outsider, but it’s a great thrill to be in the race,’’ Bain said.
“Hopefully there is one more story to be told over the Adelaide Carnival,’’ he said.
Or can Jason Holder wind the clock back 30 years since he grabbed one of the biggest wins of his career winning the Goodwood aboard Ambala, teaming with the Richard and Chantelle Jolly stable and Karacasu.
And then there is Sghirripa for Strathalbyn father and daughter training combination - Shane and Cassie Oxlade - who was upstaged by his stablemate in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate where he reeled off stunning sectional times.
The great storylines aren’t restricted to the locals.
West Australian mare Amelia’s Jewel can give Simon Miller the perfect parting gift by winning the Goodwood before she joins the Sydney stable of Annabel Neasham following her Adelaide campaign.
Amelia’s Jewel is battling for favouritism with fellow WA galloper Oscar’s Fortune in the 1200m feature.
The exciting three-year-old, who claimed the scalp of Amelia’s Jewel in the Group 3 Roma Cup two starts back before running third in the $5m Quokka at Ascot last time out, trying to give Dion Luciani his first Group 1 victory and amazing jockey William Pike his first Adelaide win where he is currently winless form 27 rides at Morphettville.
Oscar’s Fortune has been the best back since markets opened from a middle barrier.
“From what I can gather it will be a high-pressure race, so hopefully he can get a good run and William rides the horse very well,’’ Luciani said.
Former star apprentice now top Victorian horseman Nick Ryan chasing his first Group 1 winner with Johnny Rocker who was beaten five lengths in Benchmark 70 grade in February before beating all but
Imperatriz at Group 1 level at Moonee Valley in March and then game on shifting ground in the TJ Smith in Sydney last time.
The Stokes stable have gone with the blinkers on Stretan Angel, Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr’s What You Need has overcome plenty just to get into the Goodwood, while Ben, Will and JD Hayes will be trying to add their name alongside their father David and legendary grandfather Colin as winners of the SA sprint showpiece with Arkansaw Kid.
Mitch Freedman’s three-year-old filly Skybird will try and follow in the footsteps of last year’s winner Royal Merchant by winning the Group 2 Tobin Bronze and then Goodwood two weeks later.
While Royal Marchant’s trainer Ciaron Maher will try and do it again with I Am Me.
