Apprentice Rochelle Milnes stars with four winners to secure Adelaide jockeys’ premiership at Morphettville

Star apprentice Rochelle Milnes rode four winners, including the feature Lightning Stakes, as she claimed the Adelaide jockeys’ premiership at Morphettville on Saturday.

Rochelle Milnes celebrates after winning aboard Cicala in the Lightning Stakes at Morphettville on Saturday. Picture: Makoto Kaneko

A rain-soaked Morphettville was shrouded in gloom on Saturday, but Rochelle Milnes shone brightly.

The star apprentice nailed a remarkable four winners, including the Lightning Stakes, as she secured the Adelaide jockeys’ premiership on the final day of the metro season.

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Milnes, 23, scored wins aboard Sav On Ice, Big Sue and Silent Emmy, completing her masterpiece with a brilliant come-from-behind victory aboard Cicala in the Listed Lightning Stakes (1050m) – nailing Victorian raider Fieldello on the line.

It was a third Lightning Stakes win for trainer Will Clarken, and first for co-trainer Niki O’Shea, and proved the icing on the cake for Milnes, who announced herself as a rising star of Australian racing.

“I gave her (Cicala) a pat, I didn’t even know if I’d won or not, I’m just so proud of this horse,” Milnes said.

“I have a really high opinion of her, she’s just so level-headed, I think she’s terrific – what a fairytale.”

Milnes enjoyed a midweek break in Darwin, returning to Adelaide to dominate Morphettville’s nine-race card, which saw her finish with 48 city wins in her first full season at metro level.

Lightning Stakes | Cicala

It's a red letter day for Rochelle Milnes as she caps off her impeccable day, taking out the last feature race of the season aboard Cicala ⚡️👏

📺 Ch. 78/68, Foxtel 529, Kayo or via our app
REPLAYS: https://t.co/ZIa4a02wC0pic.twitter.com/KyaboLLzEM

— Racing.com (@Racing) July 26, 2025

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“I went for a quick freshen-up in Darwin, I think the sun got to me but I grew a new leg, it’s just what I needed,” she said.

“It just started petering out late, it’s really nice to get back on the board and have an incredible day – I’m so blessed with the support.”

Milnes finished eight wins ahead of premiership rivals Lachlan Neindorf and Taylor Johnstone (40 apiece).

Johnstone saluted aboard gun sprinter Lingani in race two, while Neindorf’s faint premiership hopes were cruelled early with four of his mounts scratched due to Heavy track conditions.

“I appreciate all the support I’ve had, I didn’t wish upon Lachy to have all those scratchings, and obviously Taylor just came out and rode a beautiful ride (Lingani),” Milnes said after winning aboard Sav On Ice.

“It’s just the luck on the day I guess when it comes down to the line, but I’m really thankful for the support and especially with this horse – he’s come on again.”

Milnes’ four-timer was a career-best day in the saddle at headquarters, and sits alongside her win in the Adelaide Cup aboard Silent Surrente, and back-to-back Port Lincoln Cup wins on I Need A Drink as highlights of the 2024-25 season.

Cicala, ridden by Rochelle Milnes, wins the Lightning Stakes at Morphettville on Saturday. Picture: Makoto Kaneko

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Rain inundated Morphettville throughout the afternoon with a Heavy 9 track later downgraded to a Heavy 10.

Lingani, who won last year’s Lightning Stakes, relished it, giving her rivals a thrashing in an Open Handicap (1050m).

The speedy mare bounced back to form under a smart steer from Taylor Johnstone, who kept her handy in third, breezing past frontrunner The Gov inside the final 200m.

Lingani powered to a remarkable seven-length win, making it three from three on heavy going, as trainers Peter and Belinda Blanch set her for the Group 3 Behemoth Stakes (1200m) on August 9.

Sav On Ice, produced a dominant 8½-length win to land Milnes’ her first winner.

The Darryl Carrison-trained colt did it easy despite covering extra ground from barrier 11.

Phillip Stokes nailed the Adelaide trainers’ premiership with 44 wins, the Group 1-winning handler had two runners at Morphettville, for a second with Brave Star.

Talented apprentice Matthew Chadwick nailed a double on the card, with wins aboard Delightful Shecky and Solar Mist in the final event.

Morphettville Race 3 | Sav On Ice

Sav On Ice in a race of his own 😱 The premiership leader, Rochelle Milnes, has enough time to smile for the photo as her mount wins outstandingly.

📺 Ch. 78/68, Foxtel 529, Kayo or via our app
REPLAYS: https://t.co/ZIa4a02wC0pic.twitter.com/zhdaGL6JnF

— Racing.com (@Racing) July 26, 2025

Originally published as Apprentice Rochelle Milnes stars with four winners to secure Adelaide jockeys’ premiership at Morphettville