Racing
SA Racing Stars Shine at Awards Night
Brooke King kicked off the celebrations early ahead of being award Racing SA’s Country Apprentice Premiership at Saturday night’s Racing SA Awards and Hall of Fame when she landed her first city winner aboard Nasho at Morphettville on Saturday.
Nasho was the horse who gave King her first ever winner at Strathalbyn last May and justified a massive push in betting to lead throughout and record his sixth win from just 27 starts.
"I couldn't have planned it any more perfect, it's unreal,'' King said.
Nasho was the second leg of a training double for Shane and Cassie Oxlade after Madame Jeanette was successful earlier in the day with Teo Nugent in the saddle.
Aaron Bain and Ned Taylor are hoping there is more to come for progressive mare Bellezze who broke her maiden in style early in the day with Jason Holder in the saddle, the leading jockey's only ride for the day.
Bain said the addition of the blinkers helped the four-year-old who showed a good turn of foot to spear between rivals late and win by 2.19 lengths.
"We wanted her to get her through the flat spot she's been having,'' Bain said.
"She's always shown a lot of promise. For her to come out and do that in metro grade with the Racing Rewards attached is a huge result for the owners and her breeder, Paul Kristoris.
"She's going to get better as she gets further,'' he said.
Byron Cozamanis is also hoping there is more in store for four-year-old Round Two after he stepped up to metropolitan grade and made a mess of rivals with Felicity Atkinson in the saddle.
"He's always shown plenty, but always does things wrong,'' Cozamanis said.
"I've had that much trouble with him, but at least he's putting it together now,'' he said.
Rabtat made it three wins in as many weeks early in the day for the Michael Hickmott stable, safely holding off Victorian Sirius Black.
Rochelle Milnes capped her magnificent 2024-25 season when she was awarded the John Letts Medal at the SA Racing Awards and Hall of Fame later Saturday night.
Last year's John Letts Medal winner, Jake Toeroek, won Provincial Jockey of the Year, while Sairyn Fawke claimed the Country Jockey of the Year Award.
Goldrush Guru claimed the Champion Racehorse of the Year Award, Sir Sway the Best Performed Horse, while champion trainer Tony McEvoy was inducted into the SA Racing Hall of Fame along with Sometime, who won the 1963 Caulfield Cup.
Group 1-winning trainer Phillip Stokes was awarded his Metropolitan Trainer of the Year Award, while Garret Lynch claimed the CS Hayes Award for the most wins across SA and claimed the Country Trainer of the Year Award for a second successive year.
Stephen Theodore also received the Provincial Trainer of the Year award.
Giahn Pierpoint claimed the Stablehand/Strapper of the Year Award while Jess Squires was named the South Australian Trackwork Rider of the Year.
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