Trainer Daniel Clarken is expecting Lauren Stojakovic to bounce back when she partners classy filly Miracles Of Life in the Group 3 Champagne Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
Daniel Clarken is confident that Miracles Of Life can return to the winners circle in the Champagne Stakes. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Stojakovic was heavily criticised for her ride on Miracles Of Life in the Group 3 McNeil Stakes (1200m) last month after she allowed the filly to over race and was suspended for careless riding for permitting her mount to shift in under riding despite not begin clear of Prince Harada.
Prince Harada’s trainer Tony Vasil accused Stojakovic of ‘stuffing’ the race up for others but Clarken told RSN this morning that he did not believe a more experienced jockey would have handled the filly any better.
“You could have put whoever you like on it in the McNeil and they would not have done any better because the horse just wanted to go on with the job,” Clarken said.
“They can criticise her as much as they like but I don’t think that a more experience jockey would have done any better.
“She has bounced from that and learnt from it.
“The best way to beat it is to get back on the track and do it.
“She has copped that pretty sweet and we will move on from that.”
Miracles Of Life had her unbeaten run ended in the McNeil Stakes but Clarken said that he is happy with how the daughter of Not A Single Doubt has come out of the race and believes that she will be very difficult to beat in the Champagne Stakes tomorrow night.
“She is very happy and I couldn’t be happier with her,” the Adelaide-based trainer said.
“She didn’t disgrace herself in the McNeil and she has certainly gone forward from there.
“She had a very good jump out last Tuesday and she did a bit of work on Monday morning.
“It is a great draw, back to fillies company and at set weights – it looks a pretty nice race for her.”
While Miracles Of Life will race against her own sex this weekend, Clarken is hopeful that she can take on the colts again in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on November 2.
“We will stay here now and more than likely run in the Blue Sapphire and then it is three weeks to the Coolmore,” Clarken said.
“That is our main aim.”
