STRUCK BY OUTGUNS MILTON PARK IN THE LISTED MORPHETTVILLE GUINEAS

By Graham Potter | Monday, March 8, 2021

The Listed Morphettville Guineas turned into a two horse contest a long way from home as Struck By and Milton Park joined issue in what became a private battle down the home straight.

The Travis Doudle trained Struck By gained a narrow advantage shortly after straightening but Milton Park was up for the fight and seriously threatened to rally back under the determined urgings of Jarrod Fry, but an equally vigorous Paul Gatt kept the grey going strongly enough to keep the very game Milton Park back in second place.

This was Struck By’s third win in a row.

“We’ve known he’s been a good horse for a long time,” said Doudle, “and today he has finally shown everyone what he can really do.

“The race looked like it was set up for something to come from behind, but he is just so tough. We know how tough he is.

“Gatty gave him an absolute peach of a ride. I said be nice and aggressive on him early. I asked him to sit outside the leader or, worst case be one out, one back … and he got him exactly where I wanted him.

“Absolutely, I thought he was capable of getting to this level.

“In the early days I had him written up on the white board as heading for the Sandown Guineas. That was his target. It didn’t pan out that way, but we are pretty happy with today, which was his Grand Final.

“He’ll go to the paddock tomorrow and have a few days out. Whether he races again or whether that will do him for now … we are not too certain.

“We are just thrilled. He is a most beautiful horse to have in the team.”