Golden Horizon win at Morphettville kicks off special day for trainer Travis Doudle and his family

Trainer Travis Doudle celebrated an early victory with Golden Horizon at Morphettville which kickstarted a special day for his family.

Golden Horizon and Connor Murtagh combine to win at Morphettville on Saturday. Picture: Makoto Kaneko

An important day for trainer Travis Doudle and wife, Emmah, could scarcely have started better, as Golden Horizon stuck on gamely for a breakthrough win in Saturday’s opener at Morphettville.

While Emmah prepared to speak at a charity event for Cystic Fibrosis upstairs, Doudle watched on as his only runner on the card led the field under jockey Connor Murtagh, before fending off his rivals in a Benchmark 64 over 1100m.

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Emmah was named Australian of the Year (SA Local Hero) in 2020 and is a Cystic Fibrosis advocate, having being diagnosed with the illness at birth.

A thrilled Doudle was all smiles following Golden Horizon’s impressive win, moments before he ventured upstairs to support Emmah at the Cystic Fibrosis Luncheon Fundraiser.

“Obviously the wife has a charity event on upstairs, it’s going to be a really great day for Cystic Fibrosis, she’s done an amazing job to organise it,” Doudle said.

“The racing gods turned this one on for me, put it on the first race, 11:30am and the event starts at 12pm, we got the money and will head upstairs.

“She’s (Emmah) had a tough trot throughout her life, she’s done an amazing job with everything she does with that.

“I’m very proud of her, today’s going to be a real credit to her, hopefully we raise some money for a really good cause.”

Travis Doudle and wife Emmah with daughter Willow, celebrate a win at Flemington in 2023. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

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Golden Horizon ($13 Sportsbet) was narrowly defeated at Balaklava on debut, but his race experience came to the fore late in Saturday’s affair.

Out of sire Sebring Sun, Doudle acquired the gelding from NSW.

“I got a phone call from Andrew that owns him, he said ‘would I be interested in taking him?’ they are trying to promote the stallion and get them all over the country.

“I really loved him when he arrived, he’s a beautiful horse, he’s great to do everything with, he was broken in really well, hopefully I can get my hands on a few more of them because they look like they go all right.”

Extra Hot ($18) continues to establish herself as a bargain buy, the Ambidexter mare, ridden by leading apprentice jockey Rochelle Milnes, held off fast-finishing favourite The Sprinkler to win a Class 2 over 1200m.

The mare was purchased for a miserly $1000 at an Inglis Online Sale in 2022, and has now won three races for trainers Peter and Belinda Blanch.

Extra Hot picks up speed on the outside to cause an upset & win at the big price 🥵@BelindaBlanch1pic.twitter.com/y8h4MpxTNd

— Racing.com (@Racing) May 31, 2025

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Comeback hoop Andrew Stead nailed a first metro win in more than 12 years when he guided Tropical House ($27) to an upset victory in a Benchmark 66 (1533m) for Victor Harbor trainer Jake Stephens.

Stead had battled suspension in a career ranging from 2001-2013, before being struck with a rare form of cancer, undergoing surgery and chemotherapy.

It was the hoop’s fourth win on his comeback journey, taking him to a career tally of 110 wins.

The judge couldn’t separate Sir Now and Deepfloat Diva in a thrilling finish later in the day, the pair dead-heated and split winner’s spoils in a Benchmark 76 over 1050m.

Andrew Gluyas snared training honours with two winners on Saturday’s nine-race card, while Murtagh and Jason Holder both rode a double.

Golden Horizon finds the front early & clings on in a thrilling finish to claim his maiden win at his second attempt 🙌@[e-mail]/njw8gyPFzx

— Racing.com (@Racing) May 31, 2025