Two-year-old The Grey Flash held up the start of the featured Group 3 SA Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) for six minutes after kicking a shoe at Morphettville this afternoon, but proved she was more than worthy of her position in the field when hitting the line half a length in the clear.
The Grey Flash wins the 2015 SA Sires Produce Stakes. Photo: Jenny Barnes
Close to being scratched from the small field of seven after failing to co-operate with the farrier, The Grey Flash jumped from the gates well and settled in good position off the pace of early leaders San Sierra, Zero Red and clear favourite Caro Kann who set a reasonable tempo away from the barriers and approaching the bend.
Arriving at the final straight wide and with plenty to do, the Not A Single Doubt filly appeared to be out of contention when Caro Kann and Petracca locked in a fierce sprint battle on the fence, however produced a scintillating turn of foot to reach the leading pair in the final 150m and extend to post an impressive win.
The Grey Flash first appeared on course at Flemington on Derby Day, and while jumping from the gates well and finding a good running position in the Group 3 Emirates Airline Plate (1000m), was unable to match the late pace of Antelucan and Thurlow and finished a disappointing 14th.
Returning this time for a credible fifth in the Magic Millions Adelaide 2.y.o Classic (1200m) on March 9th, the filly out of Already received an ideal run in transit in the Group 3 Campolina Stud Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) on March 28th but was unlucky to be checked late and second.
Having posted her maiden race win in the 2015 SA Sires’ Produce Stakes this afternoon, The Grey Flash has secured ballot-free entry into next weekend’s Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick, however is yet to be confirmed for a specific next point of call.
A key form indicator, Go Indy Go won the 2014 edition of the SA Sires’ Produce Stakes before posting an impressive win in the Champagne Stakes a week later.
Punters who backed The Grey Flash to win the 2015 SA Sires’ Produce Stakes with Ladbrokes.com.au have been paid out on generous $4 odds for success!
2015 SA Sires’ Produce Stakes Results
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 | THE GREY FLASH | Robbie Laing | Joe Bowditch | – | 4 | 55.5kg | $4 |
| 2 | 2 | PETRACCA | Darren Weir | Jamie Mott | 0.3L | 5 | 57.5kg | $5 |
| 3 | 1 | CARO KANN | Phillip Stokes | Matthew Neilson | 0.9L | 3 | 57.5kg | $1.80F |
| 4 | 4 | WINNING ACCORD | Ken Sweeney | Todd Pannell | 2.8L | 1 | 57.5kg | $21 |
| 5 | 6 | ZERO RED | Nigel Blackiston | Dom Tourneur | 3.3L | 2 | 57.5kg | $26 |
| 6 | 7 | MANCHESTER | Jon O’Connor | Jackson Matthews | 5.9L | 6 | 57.5kg | $91 |
| 7 | 3 | SAN SIERRA | David Hayes & Tom Dabernig | Paul Gatt | 7.5L | 7 | 57.5kg | $9 |
