Rochelle Milnes nails double while Jacob Opperman produces amazing ride on Finals Day at Morphettville

Rochelle Milnes and Jacob Opperman were the stars of the show on Finals Day at Morphettville on Saturday.

Rochelle Milnes notched her second win aboard Cararada at Morphettville on Saturday. Picture: Makoto Kaneko

When it’s Finals Day, you better be switched on, and talented hoops Rochelle Milnes and Jacob Opperman were just that, with Milnes riding a double and Opperman producing a brilliant tactical steer aboard Divine Fire at Morphettville on Saturday.

With nine finals, and almost $1m in prizemoney on offer for Finals Day, Milnes didn’t miss out, scoring wins aboard Tippa and Cararada in the Skybeau and Viddora Series Finals – both races worth $105,000 in prizemoney.

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Milnes made it a hat-trick of wins with Tippa in the Skybeau Final over 2500m, posting an impressive win for trainers Shayne and Chelsea Cahill.

The Cahill’s have shown faith in Milnes, sticking with her for the gelding’s last nine starts, and she has repaid it considerably, steering Tippa to five wins.

“I haven’t had one like that in a long time, it’s hard not to get emotional to be honest, I got a little bit teared up after the line,” Milnes said.

“I couldn’t thank them (Cahill’s) enough, apprentices just don’t get horses like this, you never get chances like this, he gets the claim but to be honest he’s going that well he doesn’t even need one.

“I haven’t given him a great ride every start, the ownership team, they are just phenomenal, (and) Shayne and Chelsea, you just can’t ask for opportunities like this – they just don’t happen.”

Tippa shot through on the inside at the top of the straight & exploded to take out a memorable Skybeau Final 💫 pic.twitter.com/1e2mCWEyF4

— Racing.com (@Racing) November 23, 2024

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Cararada is another galloper Milnes is building an affinity with, the pair combined for a come-from-behind win in the Viddora Final (1600m) shortly after for trainer John Hyam.

Milnes produced smart steers on both gallopers, but she was outdone by Opperman for ride of the day, who executed an outstanding steer to guide Divine Fire to victory in the Restricted Series Final over 1800m.

After settling midfield, Opperman set the race alight at the 700m, circling the field to set up a race-winning lead of five lengths upon turning for home.

Divine Fire cruised to a two-length win, and it was all part of a well-executed plan that trainer Stephen Theodore had discussed with his jockey pre-race.

“I just said to him, don’t rush it, find your spot, have an economical run and just let her rip,” Theodore said.

“We’re 13 runs into the prep, if they can run us down they’re going to be going pretty good because she’s flying.

“We were confident, but we also respect the opposition and the barrier, and you also need luck – we made our own luck today.”

🟣 Bhima Grad Winner 🟣
Divine Fire (Divine Prophet x Alleyoop) posts a dominant fourth career win for Stephen Theodore at Morphettville 👊

Bred by World Wide Bloodstock, she is a @mmsnippets Adelaide Yearling Sale graduate.

Well done! pic.twitter.com/jXkIOmY2is

— Bhima Thoroughbreds (@BhimaTBreds) November 23, 2024

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Tasmanian apprentice Taylor Johnstone also notched the most significant win of her career in the Rebel Raider Series Final (1200m), winning aboard Karavas for Richard and Chantelle Jolly.

Karavas hadn’t saluted since being first past the post in the Group 3 Ottawa Stakes at Flemington last year, but the filly has since been disqualified from that race.

“That’s one that got away that we’ll never get back, she hasn’t won a stakes race yet, but she’s been Group 3 and listed placed, we just need to get that listed win back for her,” Richard Jolly said.

Tough sprinter Sir Sway made it back-to-back wins under Group 1-winning hoop Lachlan Neindorf, holding on for a gritty win in the Gytrash Series Final (1200m) over Watchme Win and The Great Baby.

Sir Sway now has an imposing seven wins from 13 starts for trainers Sue and Jason Jaensch, accumulating a tick under $300,000 in prizemoney so far for owners.

The win came at a cost for Neindorf, however, after he was handed a five-meeting ban for careless riding.

Originally published as Rochelle Milnes nails double while Jacob Opperman produces amazing ride on Finals Day at Morphettville