Caitlin Jones cemented her huge finish to 2020 by winning the $102,550 Christmas Handicap (1200m) aboard Savatoxl for the Tony and Calvin McEvoy stable at Morphettville on Saturday.
The former star Northern Territory galloper was rated perfectly in the lead, holding off Music Addition and a fast-finishing Too Good Too Hard to record his 14th win from just 25 starts.
It’s been a massive three weeks for Jones, landing her first city treble, outriding her claim and topping that off with a Listed win for South Australia’s leading stable.
“What a dream – to be rewarded this much is amazing,” Jones said.
“It’s been a sensational few weeks.”
And she was quick to pay tribute to apprentice Teagan Voorham, who had ridden the horse at his previous two starts before she was broke a leg in a trackwork incident at Morphettville earlier in the week.
“I want to shout out to Teagan Voorham,” Jones said.
“I was going to text her, but she beat me to the chase and I know she’ll make a strong recovery.”
Barend Vorster and Jessica Eaton shared riding honours with a double; Vorster winning the opening race aboard exciting two-year-old prospect Yulong Turbo from the Tom Dabernig and Ben Hayes stable.
The giant son of Written Tycoon is out for former smart mare Gregers who won at Group 2 and Group 3 level and was placed in the 2004 Sangster Stakes in Adelaide behind Driefontein.
Eaton scored earlier in the day aboard Li’l Piper for John Hyam before combining with boss Michael Hickmott and European import Don’tdreamit’sover.
“Jess and I set him for the 1600m final next week,” Hickmott said.
“That will really bring him on. It was quite a good win.”
Eaton’s double saw her draw level with Todd Pannell on the Adelaide riding premiership, the pair one win ahead of a Jason Holder, with Vorster a further five wins back on 19.
Meanwhile the Nicole Bruggemann stable had a big win at Bordertown on Sunday, taking out the Cup with Stealthy Lucas, who was ridden by Anna Jordsjo.
The former talented Victorian galloper is being targeted at a tilt at the Kangaroo Island Cup. His Bordertown win at just his second start for the Murray Bridge trainer secured his place in the $100,000 Southern Speed Final at Morphettville on December 26.
Sairyn Fawke had a day out at Bordertown, riding four winners on the nine-race card.