Sky really is limit for $301 outsider Skyfire taking on Winx

MORNINGTON trainer Amy Johnston is adamant that her “throw at the stumps” with Skyfire in Saturday’s Turnbull Stakes is worth a crack.

AMY Johnston initially raised the idea half in jest.

But the Mornington trainer is adamant that her “throw at the stumps” with Skyfire in Saturday’s Turnbull Stakes is worth a crack, with Winx chasing her 21st-straight win in the race.

Johnston will on Saturday saddle up her first Group 1 runner, having recorded her first win at Flemington just last week with I’m Telling Ya.

“It started as a bit of a tongue-in-cheek joke and then we thought, ‘why not?’,” Johnston said.

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“Our whole idea was it only costs $330 to nominate, so we threw that in and thought if it comes up a small field, we’ll have a crack.

“If any owners deserve to have a go at it, it’s definitely Geoff (Guest) and Jill (Kewish).

Trainer Amy Johnston and Skyfire at her property in Mornington. Picture: David Geraghty

“They’re great people who contribute so much to the industry every year.

“We’d just be all sitting at home watching it on television so we may as well go and participate.

“It’s something to tell the grandkids, anyway.”

That $330 became $5500 for final entry. Prizemoney is paid down to eighth place, with $10,000 on offer to the horses that finish in sixth, seventh or eighth place.

The restricted-class gelding’s total prizemoney is $60,774 — $13,414,651 short of wonder mare Winx, and it goes into the race rated a $301 chance with bookmakers.

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The mother of toddler Tommy has been surprised by the backlash to the entry.

She is under no illusions.

“I haven’t completely lost the plot — I don’t for a second think we are anywhere near the calibre of Winx,” Johnston said.

“It’s chalk and cheese and our racing will show you that.

Johnston — pictured with Candeo — says she is “not overly fussed” by the stir caused with Skyfire. Picture: Valeriu Campan

“I know the horse stays, he loves getting up over 2000m, he’s fit, he’s really well. And it’s a small field and it’s an opportunity. If he could beat Magicool … the other horses might have a bad day, there might be a couple of scratchings — he could work his way up the prizemoney.

“Obviously we’re having a throw at the stumps and he’s well and truly out of his grade, but from a training point of view the horse is well going into it.”

Johnston will donate her 10 per cent trainers prizemoney to charity.

“I’m not overly fussed (by the stir),” she said.

“I’m throwing my share of the prizemoney the way of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The money is going to be appreciated more and hopefully that can do a family that’s in a bit of strife some good.”

Can’t quite believe the stir #Skyfire has caused! Highly amused! Thanks so much for all the lovely messages and calls. Looking forward to seeing the Mighty Mare @winx_horse on Saturday and having a cool story to tell the Grandkids one day✌🏻

— Amy Johnston (@ajbloodstock) October 5, 2017

TURNBULL STAKES

BIG BETS

$94,150 @ $1.15 on Winx

$10,000 @ $1.15 on Winx

$5,000 @ $1.18 on Winx

$5,000 @ $1.15 on Winx

$3,070 @ $1.15 on Winx

$3,000 @ $1.18 on Winx [two separate bets]

BEST BACKED TO WIN

1) Winx ($1.18) 95%

2) Humidor ($4.40) 3.7%

3) Ventura Storm ($23) 0.4%

4) Magicool ($301) 0.3%

5) Skyfire ($301) 0.2%

6) Assign ($81) 0.2%

7) Sir Isaac Newton ($51) 0.2%

BEST BACKED TO PLACE (First and second only)

1) Winx ($1.02) 43%

2) Assign ($10.80) 14%

3) Sir Isaac Newton ($6.75) 11%

4) Skyfire ($37.25) 10%

5) Magicool ($37.25) 10%

6) Ventura Storm ($3.35) 6%

7) Humidor ($1.22) 6%

TAB’S MARKET

$1.18 Winx opened $1.15

$4.40 Humidor opened $5

$23 Ventura Storm opened $26

$51 Sir Isaac Newton

$81 Assign opened $101

$301 Magicool, Skyfire