Conservatorium rebounds to claim Scahill Stakes
Adelaide galloper Conservatorium gained redemption for a luckless run in the Railway Stakes when scoring a brilliant win in the $125,000 AJ Scahill Stakes (1400m) at Ascot.
Two weeks after he was galloped on in the Railway, Conservatorium ($5.50) bounced back in a performance which mirrored his Group 2 Lee-Steere Stakes (1400m) win at Ascot last month.
Jockey Joe Bowditch placed Conservatorium outside of the leader, Grand Nirvana, and the six-year-old skipped clear of rivals in the straight to win by a length.
Luke’s Luck ($11) finished second and the $2.80 favourite, Power Princess, ran on from last to snatch third.
Conservatorium had to pass a last-minute fitness test from vets before starting in the Group 3 feature.
He was galloped on and lost a shoe in running when eighth behind Luckygray in the Railway Stakes (1600m).
Trainer Gary Kennewell was forced to add a bar shoe to the gelding’s off-side front in the lead-up to the Scahill.
“I’ve got to thank the farrier,” Kennewell said.
“He’s got a quarter-crack to a heel.
“It’s that bare when you take the shoe off.
“He was only beaten three lengths in the Railway so it was still a good run.”
Kennewell said Conservatorium will be spelled ahead of another crack at the Queensland winter carnival next year.
The Morphettville trainer said a return trip to Perth next year will also be considered.
Rookie trainer Jemma Hayman scored her first winner with Knightlike in the $100,000 GA Towton Cup (2200m).
Formerly raced by Bob Peters, Knightlike beat Cyber Crime by half a length and Malaika ran third.
“It’s just the biggest thrill,” Hayman said. “He just tries his heart out.”
Hayman said Knightlike will be set for the $500,000 Golden River Developments Perth Cup (2400m) on January 1.
