Prairie Flower flying ahead of Rubiton Stakes, Silente Surrente chasing stakes win in Premier’s Plate

It took 37 starts for South Australian mare Prairie Flower to claim a first stakes win and her trainers are optimistic she can secure another in the Group 2 Rubiton Stakes at Caulfield.

Fresh off a maiden stakes win, in-form mare Prairie Flower is poised to be swooping on her rivals late in Saturday’s Rubiton Stakes at Caulfield.

The daughter of Star Turn unleashed a brilliant turn of foot to win last month’s Durbridge Stakes at Morphettville, her first victory at stakes level, and South Australian trainers Will Clarken and Niki O’Shea head into Saturday’s Group 2 over 1100m optimistic she can do it again in Victoria.

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“She hasn’t missed a beat since then, the boys have been really happy with her, hence she’s headed over to Melbourne,” racing manager Lachlan Weekley said.

“She galloped particularly well on Tuesday, she’s obviously rock hard-fit and racing so well.”

Prairie Flower has won two races from four starts under Clarken and O’Shea, and is racing in career-best form ahead of start No.38 on Saturday.

Prairie Flower from the clouds in the Listed Durbridge Stakes 🔥@[e-mail]/Dxm24zlPsw

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Set to jump from barrier eight, the mare will have the highly sought-after services of Jamie Melham in the saddle.

“We’re confident she’s going to run really well, our only little concern is how the race is going to be run. Obviously she’s going to be back off them a little bit,” he said.

“Hopefully in the small field she’s not too far away after they straighten, one thing she does have, is she can really quicken and show a sharp turn of foot off a slow speed as well.

“That gives us a bit of confidence – she’s just going too well not to be going around.”

Another bold run on Saturday may see the mare continue her campaign in Melbourne, while the stable also has an eye on the Adelaide autumn carnival.

“It will all be performance-based, what she does tomorrow will determine that, there’s some good options in Melbourne after tomorrow if she was to run really well,” he said.

“Our carnival isn’t that far away, there’s plenty of options for her at home too – Saturday will be the teller.”

Prairie Flower cruises to an easy win in the Durbridge Stakes at Morphettville. Picture: Makoto Kaneko

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Just over an hour after the Rubiton Stakes, the Clarken and O’Shea stable will have their eyes transfixed on Morphettville for its feature race on Saturday, the Listed Premier’s Plate (2000m).

Fiorente mare Silente Surrente is a three-time placegetter at stakes level, and is a strong chance to nail a first black-type win under the riding of leading apprentice Rochelle Milnes, who is also chasing her first stakes win.

“She’s (Silente Surrente) always displayed that sort of ability, she’s two runs in and her last run (fourth) was really good we thought – she really toughed it out well,” Weekley said.

“She’s getting to the 2000m, it looks like she’ll get the right run in the race, there’s a couple of horses there you’d expect to roll along on speed.

“Hopefully she can land somewhere behind them, get a smooth run in transit and she’s a genuine winning chance in the race.”

Prairie Flower is a $5.50 chance in Saturday’s Rubiton Stakes with Sportsbet. Silente Surrente is a $4.20 third favourite for the Premier’s Plate.

Originally published as Prairie Flower flying ahead of Rubiton Stakes, Silente Surrente chasing stakes win in Premier’s Plate