Apprentice Stacey Metcalfe is relishing her move from New South Wales to South Australia and recorded a personal best when she brought up a metro treble at Gawler last Saturday.
Metcalfe had one city winner prior to her move, guiding the David Pfieffer-trained The Party Girl to a win at Randwick. She was on loan to the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable before deciding to try her luck in SA, where she is attached to the Morphettville stable of John Hyam.
Teaming with part-time trainer and full-time fireman Peter Nolan, Metcalfe brought up the first of her three winners and the first leg of a running double when Hankstar ($3.80) won a benchmark 78 handicap over 1506 metres.
Hankstar came from last on the home turn to power home and record his fourth win from 15 starts and his second in succession.
Joining forces with trainer Byron Cozamanis, Metcalfe brought up the second leg of her treble when Rock Hard ($12) came from one off the pace to win an 1100-metre benchmark 72.
The three-kilo claimer finished off a career-best day when the Jim Smith-prepared May Be Fate ($3.70) won from on the pace in the benchmark 68 over 1200 metres.
Three other apprentices rode winners at last Saturday’s Gawler fixture. The first of them was Jacob Opperman, who brought Cotillion ($6.50) from last to give Murray Bridge horseman Michael Hickmott victory in a benchmark 68 for mares over 1200 metres.
Next came Sophie Logan, who scored from on the pace with Damascus Moment ($5.50) for Mount Gambier trainer Peter Hardacre in an 1100-metre benchmark 60.
Scarlet So completed a good day for the juniors when her mount Issara ($10) was well placed throughout in winning a benchmark 60 over 1506 metres, giving trainer Jon O’Connor the second leg of a double.
O’Connor had landed his first winner when Motell ($4.20) came from midfield under Kayla Crowther to win a benchmark 72 over 1712 metres.
Black type on Award agenda
Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas may have an Adelaide autumn type in their stable after the first-up win of Another Award ($5.50) in a benchmark 62 for three-year-olds over 1200 metres at Gawler.
Another Award came from near last with Jason Holder in the saddle.
He may be aimed at the listed Clare Lindop Stakes (1600m), a race Macdonald would very much like to win given his close association with Lindop during her riding career.
Doudle double
Trainer Travis Doudle and jockeys Erin Boyd and Todd Pannell notched two wins apiece at Port Lincoln last Friday. Doudle’s winners were Roxy Blue and Spanish Heirloom, Boyd scored with My Mate Sonny and Missed Me while Pannell won on Sassy Maneuver and Witch Kid.
Alana up and about
Congratulations to apprentice Alana Livesey on riding her first double at Kangaroo Island last Saturday. She won on Caldwell and Beau’s My Boy.
Scott scores
Murray Bridge trainer Scott Whittle took the points at the Clare Valley meeting on Monday with a treble. His winners were Final Chance, Connemara Rose in the Clare Cup and Harbour Express.
Sophie Logan rode the last two while Dom Tourneur guided Final Chance then completed a double on the Byron Cozamanis-prepared Desert Minty.   

Logan kept up the good work with a double at Murray Bridge on Tuesday, winning a three-year-old maiden plate over 1400 metres on the Chris Bieg-trained Tough Lassie and a benchmark 64 over 1600 metres for Jeff Searle on Good Girl Bella.
Cup in Sebonna’s sights
Mount Gambier trainer Richard Nicholson and jockey Jeffrey Maund were happy with their efforts after landing a double at Bordertown on Wednesday.
Their winners were Anrushka in a three-year-old maiden plate and Dyagilev in the feature Summer Cup (2000m).
Trainer Peter Hardacre has high hopes for Sebonna after the lightly raced five-year-old won a benchmark 64 over 1550 metres first up at Bordertown under Karl Zechner.
Sebonna, who now boasts four wins from 13 starts, will be set for the Naracoorte Cup on February 7. The Sebring gelding is already a winner over the 200-metre cup distance.