Sport
2 April, 2026
Mortphetville win for Warrnambool trainer
WARRNAMBOOL trainer Tom Dabernig celebrated victory at Morphettville last weekend.
An outstanding training effort from Dabernig saw Shadavar primed and full of running last Saturday.
Black-type feature races at Morphettville on Saturday gave followers an early taste of what could come at next month’s Adelaide carnival – victories shared by local and interstate trainers, but all with strong South Australian links.
Byron Cozamanis, based at Morphettville, was all smiles as the promising Never Ordinary took out the Dequetteville Stakes over 1050m for two year-old fillies.
Leading from virtually start to finish, with Rochelle Milnes in the saddle, the winner made it two victories and a second from three starts.
Warrnambool-based Tom Dabernig watched the progressive Shadavar take out the Matrice Stakes for three year-olds and up over 1200m and Stung, trained at Euroa by Will, Ben and JD Hayes, was too strong in the Clare Lindop Stakes over 1600m.
Each of those winners look big chances to contest key races during the carnival, if they stay sound.
There were other highlights but possibly the win of Cash in the 1600m Benchmark 82 provided a very honest assessment from Murray Bridge trainer Michael Hickmott post-race.
Ridden a patient ride by Adelaide Cup winning jockey Jett Stanley, the winner gathered the field in out wide to win easily, in contrast to its last-start effort.
“The horse was just cheating last start and I wasn’t happy at all,’’ Hickmott said.
“The horse was kept fresh mainly because I didn’t want to be near it during the week. But today he put it together and showed what he could do. He looked great in the mounting yard.
“And Jett was just great, he has some great traits as a jockey.’’
Jake Toeroek had another solid day with a double, riding ‘Mostly For Show’ for Morphettville trainers Richard and Chantelle Jolly in the opening race over 1600m and ‘High On Sugar’ for Strathalbyn mentors Wayne Francis and Glen Kent.
Morphettville trainers Chris Bieg and Andrew Gluyas also enjoyed their days, with Bieg winning with ‘Scandalize’ and Gluyas watching ‘Tiptop Tori’ do best in a maiden over 1200m.
- by Gordon Armstrong
