GAMBLERS who took the short odds on offer about talented Mossman galloper Stirling Grove ($1.50) scoring his seventh win from 19 career starts were smiling after the Richard Jolly trained four-year-old took out the SAJC Adelaide Casino Handicap (1200m) at Morphettville yesterday.
The son of Mossman rates as one of the most consistent and formidable sprinters in the South Australian ranks with various hit and run missions to Melbourne paying off. Consistency is the key with early success back as far as Melbourne Cup day in 2010 where his supreme speed and pace was put to good effect on racing’s biggest stage when he powered up the straight course to add the VRC Schweppes Tonic (1000m) to his S.A wins.
Subsequent raids have netted wins at Caulfield and another at Flemington as well as a Gr.2 placing in the MRC Schillaci Stakes behind champion mare Black Caviar and Magic Millions 2YO winner, Karuta Queen.
“Stirling Grove showed himself to be something very special when he won the Fulham Park by nine lengths at his first start,” says Vinery’s Adam White.
“He has often raced against the best horses around S.A and when he travels across from Adelaide, he has measured up really well. Nothing beats Black Caviar and his run in the Salinger had to be seen to be believed. He was last of the 14 at the 400m but was only beaten about a length and half by Sister Madly at the finish, it was a super run from a very consistent, genuine racehorse and typical Mossman.”
“He is only fairly lightly raced in the overall scheme (19 starts) and he has already won over $460,000 which is a substantial amount and a super return on the $52,500 Richard paid for him out of our draft at the Melbourne Premier sale in 2009,” White added.
