Kayla Crowther will chase a maiden Group 1 victory aboard comeback queen Bella Vella in Saturday’s $502,250 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville.
Crowther will remain in the saddle aboard the Will Clarken-trained mare who added another chapter to an already amazing story when she scored first-up from more than a year on the sidelines in the Group 3 R N Irwin Stakes last month.
Crowther is enjoying her best season in the saddle having already ridden 94-1/2 winners, just three shy of last season’s tally and comes off a double on Australasian Oaks Day.
Manager Nick Pinkerton said it was a reward for effort and for a rider in sensational form.
“Kayla is the ultimate professional and she deserves the Group 1 opportunities that are now coming her way,’’ Pinkerton said.
“She is extremely diligent yet remains uncomplicated in her approach to excellence. She is also a fantastic communicator.
“Her consistency is remarkable.
“She has been averaging more than of 100 winners a season now for over three years and her form is hot with 19 winners last month,’’ he said.
Bella Vella was plucked form an online sale before her amazing success under the guidance of Clarken which included victory in the 2020 Sangster.
She had 34 starts for Clarken winning 10 races and banked $900,000 in prizemoney before she fetched $1.9m at the 2021 Magic Millions Broodmare Sale.
After she failed to get in foal and her return to the breeding barn her new owners Rosemont Stud didn’t hesitate to send the mare back to Adelaide before she held off last year’s Sangster winner Instant Celebrity at her racetrack return.
Jamie Kah will ride Rosemont’s second Sangster runner Brooklyn Hustle with Craig Williams set to partner pre-barrier draw favourite September Run for Chris Waller.
Oaks winning jockey Daniel Moor rides last year’s winner Instant Celebrity with Damien Oliver to ride Heresy and Mark Zahra sticking with Argentia for the Anthony and Sam Freedman stable.