Jenny
Barnes

Oakbank
2002

27/03/02 Heroes and Warriors - Clipsal Stakes

The first multiple winner of the Hills Railway Stakes was Miss Neckersgat who became JV Hopwood's second winning ride in three years when she won in 1915. In 1916 JV Hopwood rode Blairfinde to victory before rejoining Miss Neckersgat for the 1917 edition. Miss Neckersgat defeated Citius in winning before returning again in 1918 for her third victory in the event and remains the only horse to have three editions of this race on their list of victories. JV Hopwood continued his winning rides by taking Placida to victory in 1919 then Cerise and Green in 1920.

Mikadis was foaled in 1956 by Kaa from Dais and trained by HG Heagney for Mr & Mrs FA Curruthers. Dais' full sister was to become the fourth dam of future Goodwood Handicap winner the star sprinter Beau George. Mikadis started his career with victory in a Two-Year-Old Maiden at Morphettville on December 20, 1958. Four weeks later he was second beaten a head by Censored in the Peter Pan Handicap at Cheltenham. A fifth in the Bloodhorse Breeders Stakes at Morphettville followed before Mikadis was third at Cheltenham. Victory in the Kentucky Handicapcp followed at Cheltenham before Mikadis had his first run at Victoria Park for a third in the Richmond Park Stakes. Fifth in the Tobruk Handicap, Mikadis then ran third in the Sires Produce and second in the Sandringham Handicap before heading for a spell.

Resuming as a three-year-old in late December at Cheltenham Mikadis ran second in a Novice Handicap before backing up five days later for an unplaced effort at Gawler. A three week break and Mikadis found form running second at Gawler before a third at Victoria Park. Fifth and second at Morphettville Mikadis again found it hard to break through with a second at Cheltenham before heading to Oakbank. On the Saturday Mikadis handled the track to perfection but Stuart Palm with a one stone weight advantage got the decision by a nose from the three-year-old. Mikadis backed up two days later in the Hills Railway Stakes where despite nearly a two stone drop in weight to 6.13 (44kg) he was sent out at 7/1. Ridden by John Letts Mikadis held the opposition at bay to win by a length from topweight Makalot with Kaa Marie third. Just under two weeks later Mikadis won the John Lewis Quality Stakes carrying 7.3 (46kg) again with John Letts in the saddle. The Goodwood Handicap proved too hard for the three-year-old before he ran second at Morphettville. Two further unplaced runs followed before a spell.

Again Mikadis missed the spring and resumed on January 2 at Morphettville with a fifth in the Marino Handicap. Mikadis was then unplaced in two runs in three days before a three week let up and a fourth at Victoria Park. A five week break followed before Mikadis lined up for the Hills Railway Stakes at Oakbank. In a race where every horse was weighted between 7.0 (44.5kg) and 7.7 (47.5kg) bar Gay Roxby with 8.10 (55.5kg) Mikadis again proved too good winning by 1 ½ lengths for John Letts with Cool Cellar second and Gay Roxby third. Mikadis then went to Gawler to win the Bentley Handicap before winning The John Lewis Quality Stakes for the second year running this time carrying 8.10 (55.5kg) by 1 ¾ lengths from Windy Era with Town Courier third. Mikadis then lined up in the Goodwood Handicap carrying 7.5 (46.5kg). Older and stronger he raced away to win by 1 ¼ lengths from Gay Roxby with Bomba third. Unplaced a week later Mikadis then headed to Cheltenham to win the Brooklyn Handicap. A fourth at Victoria Park followed before Mikadis finally broke his maiden at that track to win the Marryatville Mile Handicap six days later. A third in the Seaton Mile Handicap at Morphettville followed before a spell.

Returning as a five-year-old Mikadis won his first up run a Flying at Cheltenham by four lengths carrying 9.4 (59kg) and a new rider Jim Johnson. A fortnight later the pair headed to Moonee Valley where Mikadis was successful in the Windarra Handicap carrying 8.12 (56.25kg) by 2 ½ lengths from lightweight Chavey Nights (7.3 - 46.5kg) with Bengal Tiger third. Two weeks later Mikadis took on a class field in the MRC Invitation Stakes where he was third to Anonyme and Havelock. Three weeks later he was unplaced at Caulfield before running second by a half length to Romanac in the Dundonald Handicap on Cox Plate day. Mikadis then took on the cream of the Melbourne sprinters in the Craven A Stakes a week later but was unplaced and headed home for a spell. After a fourth at Victoria Park Mikadis returned to the winners circle in the Brooklyn Handicap at Cheltenham. A week later he was second at Victoria Park and then second on Anzac Day at Morphettville as he prepared for his third attempt at the Goodwood Handicap. Carrying 8.9 (55kg) Mikadis was no match for the lightweights Conrapt (7.9 - 48.5kg), Merability (7.12 - 50kg) and Fine Seller (8.5 - 53kg) despite starting the public elect. Mikadis was then second at Morphettville before being unplaced in the John Lewis Quality Stakes. Unplaced at Victoria Park he then ran third in the Marryattville Mile then second in the Seaton Mile at Morphettville. Two unplaced runs followed before a let up.

Mikadis commenced his six-year-old season unplaced in two runs before winning the Divett Handicap in mid September carrying the topweight 8.11 (56kg) to victory. Two weeks later he won again in the Burleigh Handicap at Cheltenham. Carrying 9.1 (57.5kg) he defeated Agra (7.5 - 46.5kg) by a half neck with Rickwell third. Mikadis was unplaced in the Keswick Handicap before running second in the Hackney Handicap as the big weights started making it harder to break through against up and coming gallopers. Carrying 9.5 (59kg) Mikadis was then third in the Leadenhall Handicap. A short let up followed before being unplaced in the Christmas Handicap won by Conrapt from Rickwell.

Mikadis was soon in the spelling paddocks and resumed in late July running third in the Queenstown Handicap at Cheltenham.

Mikadis struggled to regain form over his next few runs before running third in the Divett Handicap at Cheltenham. He could only manage two fourths over his next five runs before Mikadis showed some of his true ability with a third at Strathalbyn conceding weight to the first two placegetters. Three days later on Melbourne Cup day Mikadis returned to winning in the Mayfield Handicap at Gawler. Heading back to town he then won the Leadenhall Handicap by 1 ½ lengths from Naelyn with Naecon third. Two unplaced efforts followed before a second in the Bassett Handicap at Gawler. On December 28, Mikadis won the Woodville Handicap in a hard fought battle with Trim Boy by a half head with Norden third. Unplaced in the December Sprint Mikadis was then third in the Marino Handicap, fourth in the Harbour Handicap and third in the Darlington Handicap before passing the post in second place in the Willunga Handicap at Morphettville. As 5/2 favourite Mikadis then won the Cove Handicap at Cheltenham by ¾ length from Goli H'Ai with Millionairess third. He was then second in the Lockley's Sprint at Morphettville and second in the Rose Park Handicap at Victoria Park before returning to Oakbank. Carrying the topweight of 8.10 (55.5kg) in the 1964 Hills Railway Stakes Mikadis tried hard but the pull in the weights told as Agra carrying 7.10 (49kg) was too good winning by three lengths from Mikadis with Benibasha third. Two weeks later Mikadis lined up at Cheltenham to win carrying 8.11 (56kg) in the Brooklyn Handicap by 1 ¼ lengths from the dead heaters Splash and Agra. He was then unplaced in the John Lewis Quality Stakes and Goodwood Handicap before returning to form in late May with a third in a Welter at Cheltenham. A third at Victoria Park followed then Mikadis was third in the Seaton Mile. Two further unplaced runs led to a spell for Mikadis, who had virtually been in training for the previous 12 months.

Mikadis started his eight-year-old season with a third in the Holden Handicap at Cheltenham before finishing unplaced in the Divett Handicap. He was then second to Cosmonaut in the Kenwood Handicap at Gawler. Two unplaced efforts and then a third in the Hackney Handicap at Victoria Park followed before Mikadis headed to the Leadenhall Handicap at Cheltenham. Run as the final event, the race was one of the most exciting of the card as Mikadis and Miss Daybreak fought out the finish. On the line Mikadis prevailed by a neck with 1 ¼ lengths back to Native Statesman third. Climbing weights and age finally began to catch up with Mikadis as he was unplaced at his next two starts. On December 5, 1964 Mikadis lined up in the Bassett Handicap at Gawler. The final race of the day and Mikadis finished well back behind Busline in his final run of the season.

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