John Kelton showcased his expertise in punting and form analysis at the recent SAROA end-of-year event, captivating attendees with his journey and insights into the racing world. Fresh off the plane from Melbourne, where he had been filming GetOn SA, John shared stories of his early days in racing. Inspired by his grandfather, he immersed himself in the sport, accompanying him to trackwork and race meetings across South Australia. Despite starting his career as an engineer, John’s passion for racing led him to the Northern Territory, where he worked as an analyst for All Sports. Eventually, he returned to South Australia to pursue a career focused on the punt. At the gathering, John provided a rare look into his family-built database and the meticulous process he follows to gather intelligence from various sources. This data, combined with his unmatched attention to detail, enables him to frame markets and assess runners’ chances with remarkable accuracy. It’s no surprise that John is regarded as one of Australia’s premier form analysts and tipsters. SAROA members were grateful for the time he generously shared, and with his lessons in mind, they’ll no doubt be looking to land a few extra winners in the weeks ahead. 60 seconds with ‘Kelts’ 1. Favourite horse (that you don’t own): Winx 2. Which horse would you like a share in? Via Sistina 3. Jockey to ride for your life? Matthew Neilsen 4. Best track to punt? Morphettville (outer) 5. What track haunts you as a punter? Mornington 6. What horse haunts you as a punter? Redzel 7. Which track do you miss more, Cheltenham or Victoria Park? Cheltenham 8. How valuable is trained on track in SA provincials? Very valuable at Strathalbyn and Oakbank but less so the others. 9. Superstitions? None 10. Favourite Group 1 race? The Goodwood 11. A race meeting worldwide you’d like to go to? A big UK jumps carnival 12. SA apprentices on the rise? Alan Lai & Brooke King 13. Favourite gear change? Blinkers off 14. Black Caviar or Winx? Winx

SAROA President Allie Umoff and I attended the opening of the stunning new Apprentice Academy at Somerton Park. Congratulations to all involved with Racing SA in creating this state of the art set up.

Listen to James Cleveland with Gary on the At The Barriers podcast click here

Our friends at The Highway have two sports lunches coming up in September that could be of interest to SAROA members. Thursday September 5th – Peter Moody of Black Caviar fame – for details click here September 13th AFL Hall of Fame Inductee Chris McDermott for details click here

Summerset Park have shares available in a very well related Sir Prancealot Filly to be trained at Morphettville by Jon O’Connor For more information click here

Our Owner of the Month award winner for May is Tony Grantham part owner of Sioux Warrior, Tony told us this about his experiences in racing: My family has been involved with racehorses for many years and have always had an interest in racing. As a child I would go to races with my grandmother, she would always follow a number of jockey John Letts and Johnny Stocker were just two. Now I have a nephew Lewis Grantham who is a horse trainer and I have a few shares in some of the horses he trains. I have had a number of shares in racehorses over the years with David Jolly, John MacMillan and Darren Magro and I am still waiting for that illusive group winner! Lol Sioux Warrior is a lightly raced three-year-old by Sioux Nation out of the Tiger Hill mare Punch On. At the time of writing his record stands at 13 starts for two wins and five minor placings with earnings of $51,645. His wins have both come this preparation as he seems to have matured well and learnt what the racing game is all about. His sire Sioux Nation is a Group 1 two-year-old winner by Scat Daddy who shuttled to Australia for just the one Season standing at Coolmore. So far, his best Australian progeny is the Queensland Oaks winner Socks Nation as well as the stakes performer Archo Nacho Sioux Warrior’s dam Punch On won the Group 3 Vogue Rogue Plate and $846,000 on the track. At stud she has produced Bellows (by Zoffany) winner of over $100,000 who is unfortunately deceased as well as three other unraced foals. The second dam School Blue (by Geiger Counter) was unraced but as well as the stakes winning Punch On, she has produced Punch Up (by Sunday Knight) winner of 6 races and over $200,000, School Rumble (by Sequalo) who won 7 races and over $135.000, Nudgee (by Publishing) another winner of six, and  Bohdi Blue (by Northern Meteor) dam of High Blue Sea (by Merchant Navy) who has so far won three of seven and earned over $172,000 Sioux Warrior is trained by John Macmillan and appears to be a promising type going forward and will hopefully deliver more wins for Tony and the rest of the ownership group.

Photo courtesy of Atkins Photography. Our award for 2023 goes to Maggie Collett who is apprenticed to Justin Pickering. Maggie was chosen because of her dedication to return to racing after a difficult run of serious injuries. We also recognise that maMaggie has improved her communication skills both directly to owners and during media interviews. We had an opportunity to chat to Maggie about her career in racing. She grew up in Yarraville Victoria where she started riding at Werribee Pony Club, she subsequently progressed to Eventing and then to riding trackwork. She rode work for the likes of Chris Waller and the Troy and Leon Corstens. Realising that the path to an apprenticeship in Victoria would be difficult and opportunities limited, she made the tough decision, as a nineteen year old, to move on her own to South Australia. She began an apprenticeship with David Jolly, during this time she struggled with homesickness but she was able to ride her first career winner for David on With Gravy and won four times on stable favourite Fulton Street She progressed to ride several metro winners, the first being on The Raven for Kristi Evans before a run of injuries struck. Maggie broke her coccyx in a fall (clearly not an ideal injury for a jockey) then having just returned to the saddle dislocated her shoulder badly enough to require surgery. This was followed by another break to the coccyx and then she broke her shoulder in a race fall. Surely that would have been enough for her to consider a career change but Maggie persisted and returned to riding. During the injury period she had transferred to Wayne Francis and Glen Kent, and then back riding she joined the stable of John Macmillan before moving to Sue and Jason Jaensch where she enjoyed success. Maggie’s latest injury was a serious concussion which kept her out of the saddle for the best part of a year, before she could return to racing. Around this time she and partner Justin Pickering purchased their own training property and gradually work commitments there meant it was more practical for Maggie to transfer her indentures to Justin. Since then she has enjoyed successes with All Beans for the stable, She rode a double on TAB Finals Day with All Beans then a fortunate pick up ride on Manzala. Maggie’s perseverance and dedication should lead to further success in the saddle, she is a worthy winner of the SAROA Apprentice Award.

SAROA members with Owner ID and their guests are welcome to the Owners Appreciation Day at Strathalbyn. On presentation of their Owner ID, Owners will receive Free Entry to the racecourse Free entry to the Commercial Hotel Strathalbyn Owners Marquee that will be located between the members building and the betting ring. Free drink on arrival Throughout the day we will have roaming canapés and cheese platters etc.

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SAROA Raceday and Stable Visit will take place on Saturday October 7th with a visit to the Alexander Brothers stable at Thomas Farms Racecourse, Murray Bridge followed by being part of the Alexander Brothers Marquee for Murray Bridge Gold Cup Day For bookings, time table and further details click here