Comeback jockey Shaun O’Donnell has picked up the prize mount on impressive last-start winner Startrade for trainer Dan Morton in Saturday’s $200,000 weight-for-age Strickland Stakes (2000m) at Belmont Park.
O’ Donnell. sidelined for five months after fracturing a leg in trackwork last December, landed his first city winner since resuming a fortnight ago when he booted home Bigdayonit at Belmont on Wednesday.
“It’s great to be quickly back among metropolitan winners, and what a good pick up ride on Startrade,” O’Donnell said when dismounting from Bigdayonit.
“Startrade has developed into a top galloper since his transfer from Geraldton and he’ll be hard to beat again on Saturday.
“I’m delighted Danny has selected me to ride Startrade. He had a choice of jockeys, but decided to stick with the old stable apprentice.”
O’Donnell, 52, was apprenticed to Morton’s father Len, who prepared a strong team at Ascot before retirement.
Morton booked O’Donnell to replace former Melbourne jockey Michael Poy, who rode Startrade when he ran on powerfully in a $200,000 Hyperion Stakes (1600m) victory last Saturday week.
“I didn’t hesitate to call up Shaun when Michael told me had would be interstate for a family wedding this weekend,” Morton said on Wednesday. “Shaun’s a top big race rider and he’s back in good form.”
O’Donnell, 52, opened his winning account on the comeback trail when scoring aboard Garden Quartz at Northam last Monday. He has not ridden Startrade in a race
Morton said Startrade, a Railway Stakes third placegetter and Asian Beau Stakes runner-up last spring at Ascot’s The Pinnacles carnival, would be spelled after the Strickland.
“He’s in peak form, but deserves a rest,” Morton said. “I’ll bring him back for another Ascot carnival campaign.”
Ladbrokes installed star jockey William Pike’s mount Dom To Shoot at $2.90 Strickland favouritism ahead of Queen Alina ($4.20), Startrade ($4.60) and Last Of The Line ($5.50).
Pike maintained a run of success when winning on Princess Lacilla when she made her race debut for co-trainers Grant and Alana Williams in a 1200m event on Wednesday.
“Princess Lacilla is still immature and there’s a lot of upside to her,” Grant Williams said.
Earlier on Wednesday, jockey Paul Harvey scored a family affair win aboard the Williams-trained Berbere in a 1000m handicap.
Three-year-old Berbere is part-owned by Havrey’s wife Janelle.
“It was a good effort to win at his first start in five months,” Harvey said. “He’s going well, with wins at each of his two starts.”
Grant Williams said Berbere was at his best on soft tracks.
The Neville Parnham-trained filly Fashion Stakes broke through to win a 1400m maiden on Wednesday, after minor places at each of her four previous starts.
“She’s highly promising and has staying potential,” Parnham said.
+ Apprentice jockey Victoria Corver received a nine-day suspension for careless riding in the fourth race on Wednesday.
+ Former Perth gelding Superstorm will tackle Saturday’s $3 million Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm after owners Bob and Sandra Peters recently sold him online to a syndicate for $70,000.
He will race first-up for trainer Lauren Abbot, who was a Brisbane jockey.
“He looked good when fourth in a Doomben barrier trial last month,” Abbott said
Superstorm drew barrier 16 in the Stradbroke and Ladbrokes quotes him at $201 behind $2.90 favourite Think About It, a winner at eight of nine starts.