KAYLA Crowther, a runaway leader of both the apprentice and jockey’s titles at present in the Limestone Coast, returns to riding in the South East today at Bordertown after an absence of almost two months.
In that time, Crowther has concentrated more on city and provincial racing in her bid to establish herself as one of the up-and-coming young riders in this state.
With Bordertown the mid week meeting in South Australia this week and offering provincial prizemoney, Crowther has made herself available and picked up seven rides on the eight-race card.
Also returning to the saddle today in the Limestone Coast is apprentice Justin Huxtable from a self enforced lay off which he started in the winter of 2018.
Huxtable had been residing in Adelaide, but has again relocated to Naracoorte and his first ride back was at Stawell on Monday after gaining the all clear from stewards to resume riding in Adelaide last week.
The extra prizemoney on offer today has resulted in some of the biggest fields ever seen at Bordertown, with by far the majority of runners – more than 60pc – coming from Adelaide and surrounding areas.
They include runners from leading Adelaide stables such as Lloyd Kennewell and Will Clarken, while Victorian trainers have also been lured across the border.
With such a mixture of stables represented, it makes for one of the tougher Limestone Coast meetings for punters to assess.
The Bordertown track was rated a Good 4 on Monday and that rating should be maintained with no likelihood of rain.
Today is the final meeting for Bordertown secretary/manager Sonya Lodewyk who has given the club excellent service for the past nine years.
ANOTHER NEW VENUE
THE much travelled – and raced – Jackthegiantslayer appeals as one of the better each-way bets in the first division of the 1550 metre BM 60 handicap.
Trained at Morphettville by George Karayannis, Jackthegiantslayer has raced 10 times since mid September, sometimes as often as twice a week.
He has bobbed up at many country and city tracks in that period and adds Bordertown to his list today.
Although Jackthegiantslayer has only won two races from 29 starts, he has run some mighty races, including a second in Adelaide on November 24 when backed from $19 into $9.
His latest offering was a seventh at Flemington on New Years Day at 100/1, beaten less than five lengths in BM 70 company.
That reads as good form for a BM 60 race at Bordertown and he is one of a good book of rides for Emily Finnegan.
The eight-year-old gelding has drawn off the track in the outside barrier (11) and Finnegan will obviously need a bit of luck if he is to win career race number three.
Real Thinker has had only the one run at Bordertown, but did so in style when a five-length winner of his maiden on heavy going last month.
Trainer Michael Hickmott then stepped the four year old straight up to city company in a BM 60 race on Boxing Day and was found wanting, beating only one runner home.
Back to Bordertown today with jockey Shayne Cahill regaining the ride should see Real Thinker highly competitive again.
Art Music from the John Hickmott stable at Murray Bridge does not have to improve much on his last start second at Gawler – when favourite – in class two grade to be a major player today.
The best of the five South East runners in the race could be the Belinda O’Loughlin trained Strategic Spice which ran on well for third at Naracoorte 11 days ago in similar grade.
COULD BE A RISK
NARACOORTE trainer Sue Jaensch will saddle up last-start Naracoorte winner Madja in the 1300 metre BM 64 handicap.
Madja has won two of her four starts and is likely to start a warm favourite to continue on her winning way.
Bookmakers may be prepared to take some risks with the four-year-old mare as she is rising in class – from BM 60 grade – and will again have to carry top weight of 59 kilograms.
Top selection, on an each way basis, goes to a mare looking at regaining some of the form she produced almost 12 months ago.
Back in April last year Ruby Sea ran second at Sandown in BM 78 grade as a $7.50 chance.
Since then, the five year old has lost all form, ending last campaign with unplaced efforts at Bendigo – when favourite – and Sandown.
Ruby Sea is now in the Will Clarken stable and has shown nothing at two runs this campaign.
First up at Terang in November, Ruby Sea was sent out favourite and only beat three runners home, then followed up with an eighth of nine at Gawler in mid December.
Today she lobs at Bordertown at what may be her last opportunity to find some of that lost form.
The Peter Hardacre trained Little Heath was in good form – a win and two placings – before failing at Horsham last start.
That was on a heavy track on December 16 and Little Heath seemingly had the run of the race in behind the leader before dropping out from the top of the straight to finish seventh.
Back on top of the ground today with Luke Williams in the saddle may see Little Heath improve markedly and he was scratched from Stawell on Monday to be saved for this.
