Rochelle Milnes has secured the biggest victory of her career, guiding Silent Surrente ($10) to an all-the-way win in the Group 2 Sportsbet Adelaide Cup (3200m) at Morphettville on Monday afternoon for the Will Clarken & Niki O’Shea stable.
The six-year-old Fiorente mare delivered a masterful front-running display, overcoming an early wide position to roll to the lead mid-race before defying all challengers in the straight to claim South Australia’s biggest staying race.
Silent Surrente’s win was a testament to Milnes’ composure, as she took on some of Australia’s top riders, including Jamie Mott and Blake Shinn, but never wavered under pressure.
Newfoundland () loomed as the major danger in the straight, having enjoyed the perfect run in transit, while Grand Pierro () ground home strongly into third.
The well-backed equal bookmaker favourites, Golden State Warrior ($3.60) and Taramansour ($3.60), were unable to match Silent Surrente’s sustained run, finishing fourth and fifth, respectively.
2025 Adelaide Cup replay – Silent Surrente
A visibly emotional Milnes struggled to contain her excitement post-race, calling it a career-defining moment.
“I’m absolutely breathless. This means the world to me,” Milnes said.
“The team has been so supportive, and this mare was just incredible today. She travelled beautifully, and I knew she’d keep kicking in the straight. I just can’t believe we’ve won the Adelaide Cup.”
It was a hometown victory for Clarken & O’Shea, with Clarken heaping praise on his co-trainer Niki O’Shea, who has played a major role in Silent Surrente’s transformation into a staying force.
“Niki deserves so much credit for this. He’s done all the work with her and has just nurtured her to peak at the right time,” Clarken said.
“She’s a tough mare. Once she found that rhythm, I didn’t think she’d get run down. Rochelle rode her perfectly – she’s got serious ability, and this is just the start for her.”
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