Moe trainer, Peter Gelagotis continued his amazing Adelaide strike rate and became the first Gippsland trainer to prepare three city winners this season when Crying Storm won at Morphettville on Saturday.

Two of those victories have come in the City of Churches in recent weeks. A relatively frequent visitor when, it’s not often a Gelagotis galloper starts over the border without claiming a cheque.

Crying Storm was a stakes winning three year-old in Adelaide and finished fourth in the Group One Adelaide Cup. The stable has always had a high opinion of his jumping prospects, which were revealed to all last season.

His first try over the obstacles this season was last start in the Galleywood hurdle at Warrnambool, being beaten only four lengths in a quality field. Saturday’s effort will have the stable brimming with confidence with this season’s features ahead.

“He won very well and will now head back to Melbourne for the Lachel Hurdle, which is part of the Jim Houlahan Series and then it will be on to Grand National,” said Gelagotis this week.

Crying Storm is raced by a group headed by AFL champion, Greg Williams and Collingwood premiership player, James Manson.

The stable has not ruled out an international campaign in the USA where their former galloper, Meadow, has raced with success. The prestigious Breeders Cup is being considered by the stable as a possible long range option.

If that eventuates, he could run in the event as a stable mate to another former Victorian galloper in Sweet Shani, who finished third in the Grade One Iroquois Hurdle in the States on the weekend.

Sweet Shani is trained by Hall of Fame trainer, Jonathan Sheppard and Gelagotis stable foreman, Many Gelagotis, was a key player in her sale.

GIRLS GO SHOPPING

Three Gippsland trainers were active at this week’s Inglis Autumn yearling sale. Julie Scott paid $18,000 for a colt by Lago Delight colt from the family of Alinghi. Brenda Stewart bought a colt by Skalato for $3,000 and Sale’s Vicki Grylls paid $4,000 for a filly by Hemingway.

Scott and Stewart have expressed their intention to syndicate their purchases with the former to hold a stable barbecue for current and prospective owners in the coming weeks.

GIPPY BRIDESMAIDS

Moe raced on Tuesday and a couple of Gippsland gallopers put the writing on the wall with strong performances.

Scenif Find (Len Xuereb, Moe), Afterburn (Julie Scott, Bairnsdale) and Royal Sandhurst (Jack Wilson, Stony Creek) all produced very solid efforts to finish runner-up in their respective races and will pay to follow in the coming weeks.
(Source: Thoroughbred News)