Morphetville: Jockey Jake Toeroek makes the most of late call up aboard Wyclif in Premier’s Plate

Toeroek was originally booked for the Phillip Stokes-trained Unique Artist, which ran second, but was quickly rebooked by Victorian trainer Danny O’Brien for his charge when he heard Toeroek’s plight.

Toeroek ironically sat behind Unique Artist in the run which led on straightening before taking charge to win with Resurge third.

Eperdument ran a nice trial for the Adelaide Cup finishing fourth after running second in the Cup last year.

The winning hoop said he couldn’t believe his luck but was thrilled with the victory.

“He was super – he tracked into the race so sweetly, it was great,’’ Toeroek said.

“I am just thankful to be given this ride after I couldn’t make the weight on the Stokes horse (Unique Artist).’’

Local trainer Chris Bieg, who stood in for O’Brien on-course and who also led in O’Brien’s other winner Basarwa and the Mick Price-Mick Kent Jr victor River Twain, said Wyclif, with four wins and three placings from 15 starts which included last year’s Port Adelaide Cup in May, had been easy to look after.

“The horses (from interstate) have been so good to handle since they got here,’’ Bieg said.

“Not sure what the plan is from here but we will see.’’

The Adelaide Cup on Monday, March 14, could be one of the horse’s coming targets.

Premier Steven Marshall and Sports Minister Corey Wingard, who pre-race thought Unique Artist and Bea Tempted were good chances, along with key SA racing officials, presented stand-in trainer Bieg with the Premier’s Plate, formally known as the Birthday Cup.

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Manhatten Times ($9), having his first run since October last year, was largely unwanted in betting in the opening race.

But that proved no worries for the Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas team which watched their runner charge home with Jess Eaton on board to account for early leader Pegasi ($2.75F) and Justakidd ($17) in a Benchmark 68 over 1100m.

Jockey Michael Poy chalked up his first win in South Australia, and at his first ride in the state, when he teamed up with the Phillip Stokes stable to guide topweight Call Me Shamus ($4.60) to victory in a Benchmark 68 over 2037m.

The winner held out late rallies from So Bene ($5.50) and Busker’s Ballad ($10) in a driving finish. Poy also rode two seconds on the day.

Samesyn ($8) was rewarded for her consistent efforts when breaking through in a maiden over 1200m with Angus Chung on board, finishing too well for Lockdown Sally and Jaazeb.

The Jon O’Connor-trained runner now has three placings and a win from six starts.

Chung was back in the winner’s enclosure in the next race when the consistent Yuri Royale ($3.30F) proved too strong for Harleymoven ($3.80) in a slogging finish and the early leader Nakheel ($12).

Trained by Richard and Chantelle Jolly, the winner, from the outside barrier 10, has recorded three wins and two placings from 10 starts.

Apprentices Ben Price and Lachlan Neindorf fought out the finish of a Benchmark 86 over 1200m with Victorian River Twain, with Price on board, holding out Terbium in a tight finish and Port Vale in third.

Favourite He’s Xceptional appeared to suffer interference before the turn when camped on the leaders.

Price made it a double when Young Jimmy ($15) flashed home in the last race to take out a Benchmark 68 over 1200m for trainer Darryl Dodson.

Meanwhile, Gottaluvjimmy ($20) gave jockey Jeff Maund and trainer Mark Pegus, not on course, a boost with a win in a Benchmark 60 over 1100m.

Basarwa ($3.10F), which played up in the mounting yard before the 1600m Benchmark 78, was on his best behaviour during the race to beat the consistent Angaston and Sanblas.

The winner was well ridden by Todd Pannell and trained at Flemington by Danny O’Brien for that trainer’s first win for the day.

Originally published as Morphetville: Jockey Jake Toeroek makes the most of late call up aboard Wyclif in Premier’s Plate