There were few more deserving winners in the past week than ultra-consistent mare Prairie Flower ($3.50) at Morphettville on Adelaide Cup day. The four-year-old daughter of Star Turn converted her good form into a win last Monday, taking a gap at the right time to burst away and win by over a length. Jockey John Allen found a lovely trail from the 1200-metre start, jumping almost on terms and never far away from the leading contingent in the run. The leading hoop crept closer on the home turn and switched to the inside to give chase to the leaders, who were under pressure with 300-metres to travel. Prairie Flower hit the lead at the furlong marker and soon put two lengths on her rivals, dashing clear to put the result beyond doubt and notch her fifth career win. Allen was soft on the line, the Group-1 jock giving his mare every chance to show her best in the wide open spaces of Adelaide’s premier track. “She won quite easily”, he said post-race.
“She quickened up well and put the race to bed quite quickly. Good win”.
Henry was pleased to get another win with his galloper, and indicated that she may line up in Stakes grade at Oakbank over the Easter weekend. “She probably deserves another crack at Black Type”, he said.
“In terms of sprint races, that’s as weak a Black Type race as we’re going to find for her”.
In the meantime, the option of returning to Morphettville this weekend remains open, with the Matrice Stakes over 1200-metres an attractive prospect.
“She has a particular fondness for the 1200 at Morphettville, she’s run all her best races there”, Henry said.
“I wouldn’t rule out running there (this Saturday) then in the Oakbank race”.
Prairie Flower has five wins and eleven placings from twenty-eight career starts, edging towards $300,000 in total prizemoney.