Girl Power In Aussie Blue Diamond 1M

The filly and Lauren, her jock!

Miracles Of Life smashes her rivals to win Blue Diamond Stakes

POCKET rocket Miracles Of Life has smashed her rivals to win the $1 million Blue Diamond Stakes in emphatic fashion at Caulfield today.
The South Australian youngster was slightly slow away from her inside alley, a barrier that many racing pundits thought would work against her, to sit just off the pace before unleashing a powerful burst to win easily from outsiders Fast 'N' Rocking and Godiva Rock.

It was a near perfect ride from apprentice jockey Lauren Stojakovic, as she steered speedster Miracles Of Life, affectionately known as "Barbie", into the clear entering the straight to complete the fairytale.

The $1 million race had been billed as a David and Goliath battle between favourites Miracles Of Life and Guelph, but that didn't eventuate.
www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/superracing/bliue-diamond-stakes/story-fn67r1j3-1226584073861

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IF the pressure is getting to Miracles Of Life, she certainly isn't showing it.
The Blue Diamond favourite has taken all the extra attention in her stride, remaining nice and relaxed, ensuring she's in tip-top shape for today's $1 million Group 1 at Caulfield.

The uplifting story of the battling Morphettville trainer, the injury-ravaged female apprentice jockey and the pint-sized filly who was too small to be sold has captured the imagination of the racing public.

While Daniel Clarken and Lauren Stojakovic have been busy all week conducting interviews in between their normal work, the speedster affectionately known as "Barbie" has just gone about her business.

Extra photo shoots, visitors and television cameras haven't got in the way of eating, sleeping or her all-important trackwork.

The preparation has been flawless.

Her main bit of work on Tuesday was spot-on, galloping over 1000m, increasing in tempo before letting go over the final 400m.

"It was one of her better gallops," an understated Clarken said.

While she does some form of work every day, the rest of the time she's relished the extra interest that comes with being a star on the rise.

Miracles Of Life was the centre of attention last week when a tour group came through the stables to check her out.

Channel 7 and TVN have both flown into Adelaide specifically to film packages about her story and only once, at the end of a long day of filming, has she ever shirked a request.

When the youngster was getting her picture taken by The Advertiser on Thursday, she was in a terrific mood, enjoying a cuddle with Stojakovic.

While cuddles are nice, Miracles Of Life's favourite thing one she demands every morning is a scratch on the bum.

But don't be fooled by the filly's small frame, blonde hair, good looks and friendly nature - she's not one to be messed with on the race track.

In just three race starts she's already shown plenty of race sense and versatility capable of racing anywhere and happy to burst through a tiny gap to find clear running.

The trip to Melbourne went off without a hitch, sharing a ride with Peter Young Stakes hopeful Eclair Surprise.

The float was packed with everything she could possibly need all her feed, gear and rugs - and an attentive Clarken by her side.

Miracles Of Life settled into Byron Cozamanis' stables at Caulfield well yesterday, having an easy stroll around while parading for the media this time the Melbourne-based ones for a final time.

"She's grown up so much in such a short space of time, but she's had to," Clarken said.

Stojakovic will fly to Melbourne this morning and has studied the race inside and out, working out where she wants to be in the run.

The apprentice has written out her speed map - by hand - committing every runner's tendencies to memory, but knowing that anything can happen on the day.

The team has embraced the limelight this week, but never compromised the preparation. Everything has gone smoothly.

There's an old saying "success comes when preparation meets opportunity".

Clarken, Stojakovic and Miracles Of Life have prepared as much as they can and this afternoon they have the opportunity of a lifetime.

Hopefully it's the perfect equation.

www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/superracing/living-life-to-the-fullest-as-miracles-of-life-enters-blue-diamond-stakes-in-flawless-condition/story-fn67rdg8-1226583854086

Results:
# Horse Jockey Win Place Show
10 Miracles Of Life Stojakovic M $6.40 $4.30 $3.50
7 Fast 'n' Rocking Arnold S - $25.20 $14.70
15 Godiva Rock Rodd M - - $9.50
Scratched: Thermal Current (5), Casquets (12)
Winning Trainer: D J Clarken – Owner: Teeley Assets Ltd (mgr: Ms I O'Farrell)
$1 Trifecta Box Paid $929.25
$2 Exacta (10-7) Paid $145.70
$2 Trifecta (10-7-15) Paid $1,858.50
$0.20 Superfecta (10-7-15-14) Paid $2,327.00
$2 Quinella (7-10) Paid $100.10