Silent Surrente gives local trainers and jockey first win in the Adelaide Cup.
Silent Surrente has given star apprentice jockey Rochelle Milnes the biggest win of her career, winning the Group 2 Adelaide Cup (3200m) for local trainers Will Clarken & Niki O'Shea at Morphettville on Monday.
Milnes was initially caught wide aboard the $10 chance but kept the six-year-old mare in a good rhythm and eventually took her to the front, finding plenty in the straight to shake off initial leader Newfoundland ($6.50), who held on for second, beaten 1-1/4 lengths with $16 chance Grand Pierro a further length away in third.
The 22-year-old apprentice, who was awarded Dux of the Racing SA Apprentice Academy earlier this year, said she was lost for words after her first ride, and win, in a black-type race.
"I'm a bit at a loss of words, to be honest," Milnes said.
"I'm absolutely run ragged, and for the support, this team has just been incredible with my career. I can't thank them enough. I'm a bit breathless, but I really just don't have the words to describe how thankful I am for this crew to be behind me."
"They're amazing people, and this horse has just come into this race so well. I'm so proud of her."
It was a first Adelaide cup win for the Clarken & O'Shea yard, and Will Clarken said the credit has to go to his training partner Niki O'Shea for the work he does with Silent Surrente.
"Hometown Cup obviously means a lot, doesn't it," Clarken said.
"I pride myself on my modesty. My name's in the book, but Niki really trains this horse."
"He's just done a wonderful job from the time he got to the stable. He sort of nurtures, he rides all their own work. He's just done a wonderful job, it's obviously a team effort. We work hard together, but full kudos to him. He's a brilliant horseman."
Clarken also sang the praises of Milnes, who he quickly identified as a talented jockey on the rise.
"I know this sounds silly, but I don't think she was ever going to get beat. She just got in a beautiful rhythm," Clarken said.
"I've spruiked her (Milnes) before she had her first race ride, but her skills are silky smooth. She's a really good rider. She works with us really hard, it's just great."
Meanwhile, there could be Group One targets over the Adelaide May carnival for two other feature race winners, with Gala Queen emerging as a possible Australasian Oaks chance and Sir Sway on a Goodwood Handicap path.
Trained by Phillip Stokes, Gala Queen won the Listed Morphettville Guineas (1600m) while Sir Sway, trained by mother and son duo Sue and Jason Jaensch, notched up his eighth win from fourteen starts in the Listed Manihi Classic (1100m).
