Apprentice Lauren Stojakovic will ride speedy Adelaide filly Miracles Of Life in the Group 1 $1m Patinack Farm Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 23.
Miracles Of Life will be ridden by Lauren Stojakovic in the Blue Diamond. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Speculation was rife that Stojakovic would be replaced on the Blue Diamond favourite for a more fashionable Melbourne jockey but trainer Daniel Clarken’s faith in the mature aged apprentice has convinced connection to stick with her.
Iris O’Farrell, manager and spokesperson for owners Teeley Assets Ltd announced that Stojakovic would retain the ride after steering the filly to three wins from three starts including her last start four and a quarter lengths win in the Listed $120,000 Patinack Farm Blue Diamond Preview for Fillies (1000m) at Caulfield on January 26.
Clarken fully supports the decision and knows that Stojakovic will handle the pressure of riding the favourite for the $1 million two year old feature.
“Lauren deserves the opportunity as she has done everything right and knows the horse so well,” Clarken said.
“She handled the pressure brilliantly when we went over for the Preview and I know she will do the same again for the Diamond.”
Clarken took Miracles Of Life back to Adelaide after her Preview win and has given the filly an easy week and a half including plenty of time in the pool and will go uinto the Blue Diamind without another run.
“She’s had a lovely week in the pool and looked great and felt terrific,” Clarken said.
Connections have agreed to pay the $55,000 Blue Diamond late entry fee but will wait until the February 18 deadline.
“We don’t have to pay it until the 18th of February, by which time we will have given her a few gallops and we’ll know exactly how she is going,” Clarken said.
Clarken said that Miracles Of Life has continued to impress since winning her first race at Morphettville Parks in December and is anxiously awaiting his return to Melbourne in two weeks.
“I really thought this filly was off to the paddock after her first win but she has demanded we keep going with her,” Clarken said.
“A month between runs is a long time but I think she has the temperament to handle it.
“She’s already shown she’s no speedy squib.
“She’s a genuine racehorse with all the gears to be successful.”
Miracles Of Life is still a clear cut Blue Diamond favourite at $3.20 ahead of Peter Snowden’s fillies Guelph at $6 and Metastasio at $7 with the Street Cry filly also needing connections to pay the late entry fee.
Peter Moody’s Thermal Current is next in the market at $8 after an unlucky third at Caulfield on Australia Day while Robert Smerdon’s filly Politeness is at $9.50 but will take plenty of benefit from her unplaced effort as a short priced favourite at Moonee Valley last Friday night.
