Two emerging talents; The Sprinkler and Matahga, stole the show in their respective Racing Rewards Plate races at Murray Bridge on Saturday.
Progressive three-year-old The Sprinkler, trained by Richard and Chantelle Jolly, delivered on his early promise with a strong win in the $102,250 Racing Rewards SA Three-Year-Old Plate. The son of Smart Missile tracked his more fancied stablemate Out Of Square before surging late under Lachlan Neindorf to score his second victory from just four career starts.
“It’s good for a homebred like him to win a race like this, it’s very valuable,” said co-trainer Chantelle Jolly, acknowledging the significance of the Racing Rewards scheme for breeders and owners like Price Bloodstock and Kambula Stud.
Earlier in the day, the Phillip Stokes-trained Matahga powered home in the $102,250 Racing Rewards SA Two-Year-Old Plate. He was well backed after an eye-catching debut second at Morphettville, and the colt stepped out in style under Jacob Opperman, denying Mostly For Show with a strong finish.
“He’s progressive and will go to the Oaklands Plate next start,” assistant trainer Kerrin Stokes said. “He’s a nice horse, but he just takes a bit of riding to get through his gears.”
Both feature races were restricted to Racing Rewards eligible horses, highlighting the value of being part of the scheme. For owners, breeders and trainers, it’s another incentive to invest and race locally, with major rewards on offer. This season, the scheme has provided an additional $3 million in prizemoney for eligible horses in South Australia.