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Clarken Racing | Clarken Racing News 61146 Crowthers G 1 Chance On Flower

Crowther's G1 chance on Flower

Crowther's G1 chance on Flower

It's the race that's provided the script for a string of jockey fairytales in recent years and Kayla Crowther is hoping Saturday's Oakleigh Plate can deliver her a maiden Group 1 triumph too.

The South Australia-based rider will partner rejuvenated mare Prairie Flower in the iconic handicap which has provided breakthrough elite-level wins for Ben Thompson (2023 on Uncommon James), Ben Allen (2022 on Marabi) and Teo Nugent (2021 on Portland Sky) this decade alone.

Last year, Harry Coffey also won his first Victorian G1 race aboard Queman in the Oakleigh Plate.

Crowther, 26, has ridden in 10 races at the top level and said she is always grateful to connections for trusting her with the ride in such races.

"I'm pretty excited," Crowther said.

"The only other Victorian Group 1 race I've ridden in was the Oakleigh Plate on Shamino and it was at Sandown that year.

"Obviously these opportunities don't come up very often, so to be granted the ride, I'm super grateful.

"I'm lucky in this one because the weight limits a few of the options of interstate riders.

"Winning on the horse helped as well.

"Will (Clarken) has been super loyal and he's given me some really good chances in nice races before - I rode Bella Vella for him in the Sangster a couple of years ago."

Crowther has won two races on Prairie Flower, including the Listed Durbridge Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville last month.

Jamie Melham steered the daughter of Star Turn into third place in the G2 Rubiton Stakes (1100m) but has elected to ride Arabian Summer for Tony and Clavin McEvoy on Saturday.

Crowther believes Prairie Flower can run a cheeky race with 52kg in a high-pressure contest.

"I think the 1100m is right up her alley," she said.

"She appears to be in career-best form and I galloped her this morning at Oakbank - it was a really nice working four-two (800m gallop quickening up the final 400m) and she just feels enormous underneath me at the moment.

"I couldn't be happier.

"52kg in a fast-run 1100m will suit her down to the ground.

"She's going to have to improve a couple of lengths to be in the finish of an Oakleigh Plate, but I don't think she's taken a step backwards, that's for sure."

WATCH: Prairie Flower's Durbridge Stakes win

Among the horses to beat in the Oakleigh Plate is Sghirripa, who Crowther partnered to an eye-catching win in a barrier trial last week.

Strathalbyn-based trainers Shane and Cassie Oxlade are eyeing back-to-back wins in the race after Queman's victory in 2024.

Crowther said Sghirripa, who bombed the start and finished unplaced behind his stablemate in last year's Oakleigh Plate, appears to be maturing.

"I was really happy with his trial," she said.

"He always does trial really well and he goes super in his first- and second-up runs.

"He seems like he's maturing as an older horse and he was doing a few things better than he has before -  he wasn't laying in as heavily as he can and he didn't over-race as fiercely as he can."

Sghirripa is $15 in Sportsbet's Oakleigh Plate market, while Prairie Flower is $51.

Story from Racing.com (James Tzaferis)

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