It could be a good day for the Gillett family when racing resumes in Alice Springs on Saturday.
Husband and wife Terry and Leanne Gillett, both licenced trainers in their own right, have decent prospects in four of the five races for Pioneer Park’s first meeting of 2024.
Daughter and apprentice Dakota, who kicked off her career in July 2022, returns home from Adelaide, and each of her three rides are capable of saluting.
Dakota, 18, is currently based in South Australia riding for leading Adelaide trainers Richard and Chantelle Jolly and is fresh after posting two thirds for the Jolly’s aboard Corden and Ok Gerry at Murray Bridge on New Year’s Day.
Determined to work on her craft, the teenager – currently sitting equal second in the Alice Springs and Provincial jockey’s premiership with six wins – also spent time in Sydney with Warwick Farm-based trainer Bjorn Baker during the spring.
The talented Supreme Attraction, trained by Terry, along with Li’lmissprancelot and Ornamental Lady, trained by Leanne, will be ridden by Dakota this weekend.
Supreme Attraction, an absolute star last year, returns after five months and was allotted 64.5kg for Saturday’s feature over 1000m (BM76).
With Dakota’s 2kg claim, the eight-year-old gelding – with a rating of 93 – will spot his four opponents 4.5kg first up since finishing sixth behind Early Crow in the $135,000 Palmerston Sprint (1200m) at Fannie Bay during the Darwin Cup Carnival in August.
Prior to his Top End sojourn, the son of Supreme Class claimed the $100,000 Pioneer Sprint (1200m) – starting at $26 – in April during the Alice Springs Cup Carnival before winning four straight from 1000-1400m.
The Palmerston may have been different had Supreme Attraction – the winner of nine races from 16 Alice starts – had a lead up race, but Saturday’s assignment should not be as daunting despite carrying plenty of weight.
Assessing Supreme Attraction’s hopes, Terry Gillett said: “Coming back from a good campaign last season – will definitely need the run, but not out of this.”
The Kerry Petrick-trained Throw At Da Stumps, who upset Paul Gardner’s impressive Red Wraith by a nostril over 1000m (BM76) at Pioneer Park on November 26 must be respected.
Throw At Da Stumps was a last-start second in open company over 1200m behind Great Buy, trained by Terry, at the Alice Springs meeting on December 17, and come Saturday, will most likely be second favourite behind Supreme Attraction.
Li’lmissprancealot, winless after nine starts, gets her opportunity to break the ice when she will probably start favourite in a 1000m maiden.
Ornamental Lady, who brought good form north from SA before coming fifth over 1100m (0-70) three weeks ago, has the chance to show her true colours over 1200m (0-64).
The daughter of Sir Prancelot, Li’lmissprancelot hasn’t been far away with two thirds from five starts in the Red Centre following her arrival from SA, and with Dakota’s 2kg claim (55kg), as well as a decent gate, the four-year-old mare definitely has an edge in class over her nine opponents.
Ornamental Lady, the daughter of Epaulette, was far from disgraced during last year’s Darwin Cup Carnival and managed a second in October and a fourth in November at Morphettville before parting ways with Murray Bridge trainer Nicole Irwin.
On Saturday, the six-year-old mare will take on Terry’s handy Valley Prince, who returns from a four-month spell, and Leanne’s Esashi, renowned for her brilliant starts, before hitting the wall in the home straight in the five-horse field where Greg Connor’s Radio Room is a worthy each-way hope.
“Li’lmissprancealot is still looking to break her maiden and is jumping from a nice barrier – winkers taken off this start hoping for a clean jump,” Terry said.
“Wasn’t the worst run last start for Ornamental Lady – a couple of gear changes for Saturday and she will appreciate the 2kg claim.
“Valley Prince is coming back from a well-deserved break – working well and will improve off what he does on Saturday fitness wise.
“As for Esashi – not her race, but will put the speed into it.”
Family Ties, who brained the opposition by 5.5 lengths over 1100m (BM54) in late November before a last start third over 1100m (0-58) on December 17 when 0.2 lengths separated the first three across the line, is certainly a genuine chance for the Gilletts when he lines up over 1100m (BM54).
With apprentice Ianish Luximon, who can claim 2kg, in the saddle, Family Ties, the son of Zebedee, boasts a 2kg weight advantage over Connor’s Trystoff (59.5kg), clearly the biggest challenger to Terry’s four-year-old gelding.
“Family Ties is racing in fine form at the moment and is jumping from a nice gate,” Terry said.
After a week where the mercury climbed beyond 40C, it is expected to be 37C with the possibility of showers on Saturday.
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