Impressive colt stands up for Phillip Stokes after favourite scratched at Murray Bridge

Trainer Phillip Stokes looks to have a handy colt in his stable following Matahga's impressive victory in the Magic Millions Racing Rewards SA 2YO (1000m) at Murray Bridge.
The son of Tivaci showed very little gate speed on debut and it was the case again at start number two after flopping out the back from a wide barrier.
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But with the leading pack going along at a strong tempo, it allowed Matahga to get right into the race and he sprouted wings over the final 200m to steal the victory.
Stokes' son, Kerrin, was on course following the victory and was rapt to see Matahga break through at his second race start.
'He's going super,' Stokes, a former A-League player for Melbourne City, said.
'He was very good on debut and he's just a horse that takes a lot of riding to get through his gears.
'Jacob Opperman has had a few sits on him now and knows him well.
'He's a nice horse.'
Matahga was an $80,000 purchase for the stable at Karaka in 2024 and he was able to get a fair chunk of that back with the first placed cheque worth $57,250.
They will look to notch up a similar result later this month with Stokes earmarking a Listed race for Matahga.
'He's progressive, will go to the Oaklands Plate next and it's exciting,' Stokes said.
Stokes initially had the favourite for the race with Ground Control before the horse was scratched.
Nothing is wrong with the talented galloper other than giving the indication he had come to the end of his preparation.
'He's just ready for the paddock and was starting to feel the pinch,' Stokes said.
'So he'll have a good spell and come back as a nicer horse.'
Meanwhile, trainers Richard and Chantelle Jolly went close to winning the two-year-old feature with Mostly For Show.
But 35 minutes later saw the duo take out the Racing Rewards 3YO with The Sprinkler.
They also trained the third placegetter in the race with the favourite Out Of Square running on well.

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