Mitch Cohen’s Blackbook: Apprentice Mitch Stapleford scores debut metropolitan winner

Less than 10 months after his maiden winner in the saddle, the Scone-based apprentice enjoyed his biggest moment yet at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Mitch Stapleford after winning on Diamond Diesel.

Bush apprentice Mitch Stapleford came to Sydney on Saturday hoping just to get a taste of what riding was like in the big smoke before snaring the most important winner of his young career at Royal Randwick.

Stapleford is a rider most would have only seen on the NSW country circuit throughout this season but took advantage of the quiet winter period to make his metropolitan debut with a pair of rides on the weekend.

The 21-year-old wasted no time showing why he is regarded among the best young riding prospects in the state right now.

Stapleford, the grandson of legendary former Gosford trainer Albert Stapleford, delivered a peach to chalk up his maiden city win aboard the Adam Duggan-trained Diamond Diesel in the final event of the program.

*Proven formula unearths another gun Sydney sprinter

Diamond Diesel gives @MitchStapleford his first Randwick win! 👏@[e-mail]/9GbB9XS1Uf

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 25, 2024

Amazingly, the milestone comes less than 10 months after Stapleford piloted his first winner at Muswellbrook last August.

“It was huge,” Stapleford said. “It’s what I’ve dreamt of to go to Randwick and ride a winner so to be able to say I’ve done that is a great feeling.

“I am very lucky that I’ve got a lot of trainers supporting my right now, especially Adam Duggan, who has given me support from the get-go.

“I used to ride a few horses for him at trackwork when I basically couldn’t even ride so to have my first winner for him is a great thrill.”

Stapleford actually started his riding career at Randwick with Mark Newnham but made the move up to Scone to join Scott Singleton when he former boss made the move to Hong Kong.

Standing at close to 180cm, Stapleford is one of the tallest riders in the room but can ride down to 54kg if required.

* RV urged to consider toll on tracks, field sizes in 10th race debate

Diamond Diesel will be a horse Mitch Stapleford always remembers fondly. Picture: Jeremy Ng-Getty Images

He was back riding in the bush at Gunnedah on Sunday with more bookings at Taree on Monday and intends to remain in the country for the foreseeable future until the time is right to move to the city.

“I’ve still got two kilos left on my country claim so I will spend a lot of my time there,” Stapleford said.

“Coming to Sydney was just to gain a bit of experience and I am glad I got one up in the end.

“I am just going to take it gradually and how it comes.

“I am loving it. I love going to work every day and have a great boss in Scott Singleton. He has been a great mentor to me and I couldn’t be any place better.”

Stapleford sits eighth among all NSW apprentices this season with 37 winners.

* $19,000 bet on Kovalica misses the mark in Doomben Cup

FIVE TO FOLLOW

SWIFTFALCON (race 1)

Barrier one proved his downfall as the leaders slowed in front of him before the Hawkes Racing galloper surged late. With more luck, the son of Exceedance can go one better next time.

Aemelius from last takes out the opener at Randwick for @AlyshaCollett and @ANeashamRacing!@aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/KLNMo7MUfi

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 25, 2024

QUANTUM CAT (race 4)

After settling back last in the run, the former UK stayer only narrowly missed out behind Casual Connection in his third Australian start. What level he’s up to remains to be seen but a win isn’t far away.

MISSY MOOLA (race 5)

It took a last start stakes winner in Konasana to run down the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained mare from out in front. Over more ground next start, with a run under the belt she can go close.

THE BLACK CLOUD (race 7)

There was a lot to like about this filly’s first up win after sitting three-wide and proving too strong. She should have plenty of improvement to come off the run and can feature in three-year-old fillies races.

The Black Cloud dashes over the top of them! ☁️@[e-mail]/zuXIDd6SNn

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) May 25, 2024

MOGO MAGIC (race 7)

Forced to do work early from a wide gate with 60.5kg on his back, this Scott Collings-trained galloper battled on well enough to finish among the placings fresh. He should strip fitter second up.

STEWARDS SAY

Navy Blood (race 2): Raced keenly at times in the run and when placed under pressure in the straight he did not close off the race, racing flat. Will Freedman and Dylan Gibbons thought the colt may not have backed up from a heavy track run first up.

Tanglewood (race 3): Stirred up in the parade and didn’t relax. Raced wide with Josh Parr deciding not to test the gelding late due to concern something was amiss. Found to be 2/5 lame in the near-

Rise Of The Masses (race 8): When not able to lead, Regan Bayliss felt his mount was always under pressure and gave ground from the 400m. A post-race veterinary examination found the horse to be 2/5 lame in the off-foreleg.

Youth Spirit (race 9): Led as anticipated but was beaten prior to straightening. A post-race veterinary examination revealed she was 1/5 lame in the off-hind leg.

Huesca (race 10): Was severely checked and become unbalanced after copping interference from Lee Magorrian’s mount Starman. It was assessed in the high degree of carelessness with Magorrian hit with a three-week ban.

CRUNCH TIME

Aemelius (race 1): Alysha Collett had the filly back last in the opening event before she showed an excellent turn of foot to pick them up comfortably. Her last 600m of 35.32 seconds may not have been the slickest on the card but Collett was still able to turn the filly off late.

Quantum Cat (race 4): The Chris Waller-trained import was back last in the staying test and made up a stack of ground towards the inside to just miss, clocking the fastest last 600m of the meeting in the process. He finished off in 34.41 seconds with 11.41, 11.26 and 11.74 splits.

Another tight one at Randwick with Casual Connection the winner for @jsargentracing and @MollyBourke7!@aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/Jy5OWsYOHh

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 25, 2024

The Black Cloud (race 7): Unsurprisingly ran one of the fastest last 600m of the meeting in 34.42 seconds to win the 1000m affair. What made it impressive was her ability to sustain the gallop first up when caught wide.

Iknowastar (race 8): He did the damage in the early and middle stages with the fastest four furlongs of the race setting up his victory. The Bjorn Baker-trained galloper was three lengths clear at the 500m, before running his last 600m in 36.80 seconds.

TRACK TALK

“This filly has made a statement today.‘’ Joseph Pride on The Black Cloud.

“There is no better judge of a horse’s potential than Jay Ford,‘’ Pride again.

“I liked the fact that she went a bit keen and still finished her race off strongly. She really wanted to win.‘’ Ford said.

“I especially loved her last 100m and how she sat up in the last bit, she was doing it that easily.” Alysha Collett on Aemelius.

“He might get enough (ratings) points from this win to get into the Brisbane Cup.” John Sargent on Casual Connection.

“He takes that 50m out of the gate to get into gear and then just sit there and enjoy him.” Rachel King on Iknowastar.

YOU CAN BET ON IT

R7

Punters continued to chip away at the Black Cloud, who was $3.90 out to $4.60 before returning to its opening $4 at jump time with a healthy 18% of investments as second best backed runner.

There were multiple $1,000 outlays at $4.60 and $4.

R8

Iknowastar was as much as $7.50 during the week and started at $4.40 on raceday before firming into $3. The Bjorn Baker-trained galloper held around 42% of the money with multiple bets of $2000 at $3.20.

The TAB hold was around twice that of favourite Ruby Flyer ($2.90).

THE SCHEDULE

Monday: Taree

Tuesday: Kembla Grange, Armidale

Wednesday: Canterbury Park

Thursday: Hawkesbury, Wellington

Friday: Coffs Harbour, Wagga

Saturday: Rosehill Gardens, Quirindi, Newcastle, Cobar, Bowraville

Sunday: Muswellbrook, Murwillumbah

RON DUFFICY’S ROYAL RANDWICK SNAPSHOT

RUN OF THE DAY

Iknowastar is just a genuine tough on pace runner that just breaks the oppositions hearts.

He’s had a few excuses in a few runs back but really capitalised with conditions to suit on Saturday running them ragged.

FORGET THEY RAN

Mogo Magic did a great job 1st up sitting outside a hot speed and did more than enough.

He should train on well from this toughen up run.

THE BLACK BOOK

There was no fluke in the win of the 2yo filly Aemelius.

It wasn’t an easy day to come from last with the rail out but she did it with style.

The other one to follow is the import Quantum Cat who may have been one run short being only 3rd up at 2400m.

RIDE OF THE DAY

Mitch Stapleford gets one to put in his scrapbook winning on Diamond Diesel in the last.

It’s always a big thrill winning your first city race especially at Randwick of a Saturday.

He stayed cool riding to the best part of the track and should be congratulated.

Originally published as Mitch Cohen’s Blackbook: Apprentice Mitch Stapleford scores debut metropolitan winner