Apprentice jockey Rochelle Milnes scores metro treble at Morphettville Parks on Saturday

Rising star Rochelle Milnes scored a treble at Morphettville as she quickly establishes herself as a fan favourite in South Australian racing.

Rochelle Milnes steers Favourite Child to victory at Morphettville Parks on Saturday. Picture: Makoto Kaneko

Rising star Rochelle Milnes is becoming a fan favourite in South Australian racing, and it was only fitting that the hoop secured a winning treble aboard talented mare Favourite Child at Morphettville Parks on Saturday.

A scratching behind the gates as favourite for the Balaklava Cup 10 days earlier, Favourite Child bounced back on to the winner’s list on Saturday for her fifth win from nine starts for trainers Will Clarken and Niki O’Shea in a Benchmark 78 over 1400m.

Milnes added to her terrific record on the five-year-old, having won three races on the four occasions the pair have combined.

“She’s a really nice little horse, she just loves her job, she loves getting up on the bridle and travelling, she knows what to do,” Milnes said post-race.

“It’s a blessing to be a part of her and the stable.”

Favourite Child gets back into the winner's circle as Rochelle Milnes rides her third winner of the day 🤩@Clarken_Racingpic.twitter.com/4GIo74yUEF

— Racing.com (@Racing) September 21, 2024

Milnes kickstarted her day with a win aboard Talisay in Saturday’s opener for Byron Cozamanis, the hoop then went on to steer determined mare Nurys to a third win in four starts, Milnes producing a gun ride for trainer David Huxtable.

Nurys – a daughter of Squamosa – is another mare who is relishing career-best form.

“We had time think about the best way to train her, we are keeping her a lot fresher than we did previously, that’s pretty much the key to it, just keeping her happy and always wanting,” Huxtable said.

“She always tried really hard, and I thought you’ve got to reward that, that’s what we do, just keep her happy and she puts in.”

Jon O’Connor has had to be patient with promising gelding Overstated, and the Morphettville trainer may be on the verge of reaping the rewards after an impressive debut win for the four-year-old under in-form jockey Jason Holder.

“Early on he was a bit of a slow burn, he was a bit big and awkward in his early couple of trials,” O’Connor said.

“His next trial he turned it around, there was a bit of interest from Hong Kong after one of his trials. He got to the races at Murray Bridge but went through the front of the gates and was a late scratching.

“We trialled him again, he trialled quite well and then he chipped a knee. We finally got him there, and he’s worth the wait.”

Jason Holder times his run to perfection as Overstated breaks his maiden! 🙌@OConnorRacing1pic.twitter.com/dBfk6duIh0

— Racing.com (@Racing) September 21, 2024

It had been a tough day for favourite backers up until race 6, with Aviatress the first top fancy to salute on the nine-race card.

The smart mare notched a fourth career win under Jake Toeroek, with trainers Richard and Chantelle Jolly eyeing a return to Melbourne’s spring carnival next start.

The Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour also continued at Morphettville on Saturday, with the 18-carat gold trophy on show trackside as it continues to make its way around South Australia.

The Cup has already visited Port Lincoln and Murray Bridge, and will make a stop in the Clare Valley on Sunday.

There was one suspension on the card, with Caitlin Jones receiving a three-meeting ban for careless riding after her ride on Goldrush Guru in race 1.

Originally published as Apprentice jockey Rochelle Milnes scores metro treble at Morphettville Parks on Saturday