Gytrash, Instant Celebrity headline talented crop of South Australian horses to watch in 2020-21 season

There was an abundance of standout South Australian performances in the 2019-20 racing season. Here are 10 horses to get excited about in the new season.

Morphettville trainer Phillip Stokes has lofty plans for highly promising Instant Celebrity with the Group 1 $1m Thousand Guineas at Caulfield in October the primary goal.

Why wouldn’t the astute Stokes be ambitious on the evidence of the filly’s stunning victory in the Listed Oaklands Plate two weeks ago when she conquered a classy field over 1400m at Morphettville.

Near last and having issues when wide on the home turn, Instant Celebrity produced exceptional acceleration when balanced by jockey Kayla Crowther to have no problem overhauling the field.

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It was just her second start, having won on debut, and the Stokes stable is excited to watch what Instant Celebrity can produce as a three-year old in the 2020-21 season starting on Saturday.

Veteran trainer Gordon Richards trained his first winner in 1994 and he finally broke through for his debut Group 1 success when star galloper Gytrash conquered the nation’s best sprinters in the Lightning Stakes at Flemington in February.

There is no doubt the qualities of Gytrash, and Richards also has another talented sprinter Garner to challenge for more black-type glory.

The 2020-21 season starts on Saturday and Instant Celebrity, Gytrash and Garner and among 10 horses tipped to provide plenty of exciting action.

SA HORSES TO WATCH THIS SEASON

The Phillip Stokes-trained filly as been an instant celebrity.

Instant Celebrity (Phillip Stokes): Had just the two starts as a two-year old and already a Listed race winner. Very talented youngster.

Gytrash is a speed machine.

Gytrash (Gordon Richards): The Group 1 Lightning winner was grabbed on the line in the Goodwood. To shelf sprinter.

Dalasan has proven a highly consistent performer.

Dalasan (Leon Macdonald, Andrew Gluyas): Ultra consistent and won Group 3 and Listed races at latest campaign, as well as runner-up behind a potential superstar in the Derby.

The McEvoy stables should have fun with Xilong.

Xilong (Tony and Calvin McEvoy): Showed terrific speed from the gate to lead and just hang on in the Euclase (1200m). Group 1 placegetter over 1400m at Randwick in February.

Garner has already won at the Spring carnival in Melbourne. Picture: Mark Stewart

Garner (Gordon Richards): The impressive sprinter has already won twice in Melbourne and just failed to run down Xilong in the Group 2 Euclase. Won Listed Redelva over 1200m at Morphettville start before.

There is plenty to like about Silver Sovereign.

Silent Sovereign (Tony and Calvin McEvoy): Won the Group 3 Auraria Stakes over 1800m and contested the VRC Oaks last Spring, so stable would have a healthy opinion of her.

Bella Vella gave Will Clarken his first Group 1 victory.

Bella Vella (Will Clarken): Gave stable its first Group 1 win in the Sangster over 1200m. Has won twice at Moonee Valley.

Ecumenical has already claimed two feature wins.

Ecumenical (Mick Huxtable): The classy galloper won two feature two-year old races in her first campaign.

Extra Time can chase more feature race glory.

Extra Time (Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas): Very impressive winner of Group 3 National Stakes over 1200m at Morphettville before spell.

The master of the Birthday Cup.

Master Chum (Rob Wilkinson): Won the Birthday Cup in February and runner-up in the Lord Reims. Promising stayer.

Originally published as Gytrash, Instant Celebrity headline talented crop of South Australian horses to watch in 2020-21 season