Young gun Rochelle Milnes claims remarkable Adelaide Cup win at Morphettville
Rochelle Milnes, the only apprentice in the field, pulled off a brave move to claim the biggest win of her career in the Group 2 Adelaide Cup.
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Star apprentice jockey Rochelle Milnes is now an Adelaide Cup winner after Silent Surrente pulled off a brave frontrunning win in Monday’s $350,000 Group 2 at Morphettville.
Milnes, the only apprentice in the field, seized the moment with both hands, scoring the first black-type win of her career in Monday’s Cup – and what a way to do it.
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Posted three-wide at the 2400m, with champion jockeys Blake Shinn and Jamie Melham alongside her, Milnes allowed Silente Surrente to stride to the front and pilot the field.
Newfoundland laid down the challenge at the top of the straight, and Grand Pierro threatened, but the local pair rallied to hold on by one-length for a brilliant win over two miles.
“I’m lost for words to be honest, I’m absolutely run ragged,” Milnes said.
"I don't think she was ever gonna get beat!"
— Racing.com (@Racing) March 10, 2025
Will Clarken's confidence in his hometown runner has paid off with victory in the Adelaide Cup 🙌@Clarken_Racingpic.twitter.com/0fc4XgzGCC
“For the support, this team has just been incredible for my career.
“I can’t thank them enough, I’m a bit breathless, but I really just don’t have the words to describe how thankful I am to have this crew behind me, they are amazing people.
“This horse, she just come into this race so well – I’m so proud of her.”
It landed a first Adelaide Cup win for premiership-winning trainers Will Clarken and Niki O’Shea who were elated post-race.
“Your hometown Cup obviously means a lot doesn’t it?,” Clarken said.
“I pride myself on my modesty, my name is in the book but Niki really trains this horse – he’s done a wonderful job.
“From the time she’s got to the stable he’s nurtured her, rides her all her work, it’s obviously a team effort, we work hard together.
“Full credit to him, he’s a brilliant horseman.”
It was the first win for Silent Surrente since October 2023, and the mare’s drought-breaking win took her to six wins from 25-career starts and over $470k in prizemoney.
There were anxious scenes for race connections pre-race due to a delay at the barriers that saw Grand Pierro replated by the farrier.
The Jason Warren galloper ran an honest third behind Newfoundland, who was piloted by star Adelaide-expat Jamie Melham.
Scenes past the post saw Melham finish alongside Milnes, perhaps fittingly, as Milnes is making an impression reminiscent of Melham herself in her early days.
Fancied Cup runners Goldenstatewarrior and Taramansour finished alongside each other in fourth and fifth – beaten three and four lengths.
Originally published as Young gun Rochelle Milnes claims remarkable Adelaide Cup win at Morphettville
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