Another successful cross border mission
VICTORIAN horsewoman Emma Stewart continued her love affair with South Australia last night.
A frequent cross-border raider, Stewart wins SA's various features seemingly at will, including last night's South Australia Oaks and Southern Stars Plus Final.
Just to highlight Stewart's SA successes, since 2015 HRSA has conducted 42 races offering prizemoney of $50,000 or more, with Stewart and her partner, Clayton Tonkin, winning 18.
Of the 42, however, Tonkin and Stewart have only contested 21, giving them an astonishing strike rate of 85.7 per cent in SA's richest races.
Stewart and Tonkin's haul includes all three of The Allwood Finals in 2019, '20 and '21 - the only $100,000 events in the state since the 2018 SA Cup, which they also won with Shadow Sax!
The pair have also won the likes of SA's Derby and Oaks and a host of Southern Cross Finals along with other supporting features.
As for their latest taste of glory, Stewart trained My Bettor Half to complete a narrow, yet convincing, triumph.
With local reinsman Wayne Hill in the cart, My Bettor Half worked overtime in the 'death seat' before defeating the pacemaker Steam Machine and Grumpypants Gracie in 1:58 over 1800 metres.
By Bettors Delight, the filly is from former top mare Lovelist, which Stewart prepared to capture the 2015 Southern Cross Final at Globe Derby.
Lovelist is also the dam of Treachery, which was unbeaten from six South Australian starts, with her wins including The Allwood and two Southern Cross Finals.
"We always enjoy having a runner at Globe Derby," Stewart said. "The racing is strong and there are often very suitable races for some of our horses.
"This filly's family has a particularly strong association with Globe Derby and we're hoping she can keep that going."
Also partnered by Hill, Let Her Roll completed Stewart's double with an arrogant Oaks performance.
Working to the lead from barrier four, Let Her Roll cruised to a 29-metre win from Dee Jays Miss and Queen Lilibet, which deadheated for second.
Rating 1:56.1 over 1800 metres, the daughter of Sweet Lou took her record to 10 wins and six seconds from 20 starts.
Let Her Roll is also familiar with the venue's winners' circle having secured last season's Southern Stars Final.
Hailing from the same family as My Bettor Half, Let Her Roll's dam - Rocknroll Magic - won two Southern Cross Finals for Stewart!
"It is an amazing family," Stewart said. "The fillies have led the way, but there are also several Group One winning colts in there too, so the bloodline just keeps producing quality."
