Stephen Theodore Racing

stephen_theodore_racing (2160p).mp4

It was a winning day at the Mid-Weeks for STR with the recently purchased Nordic Viking 'Sarge' knocking off his maiden victory in Race 2, the Maiden Plate over the 1200m at Murray Bridge this afternoon. The three-year-old son of So You Think has made an impression on the stable since joining the ranks a few weeks ago, catching the eye of stable rider and strapper Madison Halford. The gelding has also taken to his work aplomb, impressing up the hill indicating he can progress through the grades accordingly. The stable was hopeful Sarge would acquit himself well today, however, the wide gate, wet deck and first start for the stable had all cautious. Pleasingly, Sarge pinged the gates and instantly negated the wide barrier by rolling forward and clearly leading the field. Young gun hoop Taylor Johnstone made sure to let Sarge roll and find his rhythm rather than restrain and potentially fight him causing him to over race. Sarge was there to be beat as the sitting duck all the way down the long straight, however, his inner fortitude and class saw him stave off his rivals and record his maiden victory. Post race with racing.com's Terry McAuliffe, Stephen Theodore commented "we paid 55 for him, which is a lot for us, a little stable with sixteen in work with a tried horse sort of theory, but he's been running in big races in Sydney, and what he did today I didn't expect it to unfold that way, possibly might be a bit fresh going into it after that little foot issue, but he's got an abundance of ability, and when he works up that hill he's got a very good recovery rate by the time he gets back to his barn he hasn't even worked, so this won't be his only win, there's going to be plenty more install". The talented three-year-old did have form on his CV from his time in Sydney with John Sargent and definitely relished the drop in grade on his new home deck. It was evident after the race that Sarge had a good blow, indicating he has fitness and improvement to come, which will likely see him find a suitable race in metropolitan Saturday grade. Sarge's big band of owners were ecstatic post-race savoring the moment in the Winner's Bar and the partnership of STR and On Fire Racing continues to prosper, as they head into this Saturday's G3 Hahn Cummings Stakes with the inform Fine Future on G1 Goodwood Day.

Victory For Viking

Stephen Theodore

Fine Future 'Noodles' continued on his winning ways by taking out the last race on Day 1 of the 'Adelaide Racing Carnival' last Saturday, the 25th April 2026, at Morphettville, the 75k Thomas Farms Handicap over the mile. The five-year-old chestnut has an affinity with Kayla Crowther, and the pair enjoyed an economical mid-field run from the low draw, after leaving the machines clean. Rounding the home turn the pair were momentarily cramped for a run with momentum halted for a stride before balancing up and finding room at the entrance to the straight to power through a gap and win in style. Noodles has now recorded seven career victories with another seven minor placings and has surpassed the 300k mark in earnings for her loyal and passionate owners led by Jarred and Nathan Kersten from On Fire Racing. For anyone who spoke to Head Trainer Stephen Theodore leading up to the event had no doubt in his confidence of the horses' ability to get the job done, even casually telling anyone who would listen that Noodles was a "moral", no mean feat for a horse who started $14 in betting! Theodore had the handsome chestnut trained to the minute and noted that he hadn't witness a horse work any better Tuesday on the Hill leading into the event, and it was evident he had continued to flourish since his last race victory at Oakbank in 'The Vintage'. Post race a jubilant and somewhat emotional Theodore was all praise for Noodles and his fortitude to win. He was equally pleased by his team, led by new Strapper and Track Rider Madison Halford and credited On Fire Racing for believing in the systems and structures of STR to allow him to have Noodles prosper. Theodore and the STR team were very proud to be the only local stable to notch up a winner on Day 1 of the 'Adelaide Racing Carnival', which bodes well for the remainder of the three days. Theodore and Noodles now have their sights set on the 220k Group 3 'The Cummings Stakes' over the mile on Day 3 of the 'Adelaide Racing Carnival', the same race they finished a credible 3rd, back in 2025. The other runner for the day, the promising Flying Brant, recorded a very gallant third under the services of World Class hoop Craig Williams in the Group 3 Chairman's Stakes, and for a few strides leading into the home straight, looked the winner before being overhauled late. The son of Flying Artie will push onto the Group 1 SA Derby this Saturday at Morphettvile for Day 2 of the 'Adelaide Racing Carnival'.

The Future Is Fine For Noodles

Easter Saturday proved a fruitful day for STR and connections with Savsonic and Fine Future securing the stable two winners at the iconic Oakbank Racing Club yesterday. 
<div style="text-align: left;">Savsonic 'Sav' kicked off the day by winning Race 5, the 65k Emmetts Country Cup over the 1900m journey. The last start winning mare was able to find cover from the tricky gate under a textbook steer from gun hoop Will Price. The pair then enjoyed a lovely run in transit where Sav was produced into the right part of the track to prove the better stayer, staving off the late challengers to win by 0.59 lengths. The six-year-old mare is testament to the STR structures and systems, having start thirteen for the preparation with four victories. Sav takes her career record to seven wins with another eleven placings while placing just over 186k in the bank, most of which has come at her time with STR, for her loyal and passionate band of owners. Fine Future 'Noodles' rounded out the day for the stable producing a phenomenal performance to secure victory in Race 7, the 107k The Vintage over the seven furlongs. The gorgeous five-year-old chestnut reacquainted himself with talented hoop Kayla Crowther and it was obvious the pair are in sync, with Kayla producing a cracking ride to have the gelding find his best to hold off the fast-finishing Maracourt. Noodles take his career wins to six and the gelding has netted just over 263k in prizemoney. It was a real return to form for Noodles, who really came of age over the Adelaide Racing Carnival in 2025. With the 2026 Adelaide Racing Carnival nearing, having this bloke back to form is critical to the stable's success and would be very pleasing for his owners, led by our friends, Jarred and Nathan Kersten at On Fire Racing. It was another pleasing effort from Oxford Blue 'Caesar' in Race 6, the 107k Onkaparinga Cup. The four-year-old son of Fiorente finished a close second behind Savatoff and is banging down the door for his next victory on the doorstep of the Adelaide Racing Carnival.</div>

Sav & Noodles Easter Double At Oakbank

Six-year-old tough as teak mare Savsonic 'Sav' relished the drop in grade by comprehensively disposing of her rivals yesterday at Strathalbyn in Race 5, the BM56 contest over the 2050m trip. Sav was on the quick back up from Saturday grade and jumped the $2.45 favourite, the race didn't transpire as planned early, with lots of speed engaged and Sav needed to find her feet midfield. Isaac Sit and Sav were able to absorb the pressure and get their momentum away from the fence, where they found clear air. You couldn't have had any more on the mare, as the pair struck the home straight full of running, and they kept powering through the line to record an empathetic 2.6 length victory. Sav has taken her overall record to six victories with another eleven placings and amassed just shy of 140k in prizemoney. The tough mare just loves her racing with a long preparation that has seen her win three races and acquire just over 60k in prizemoney. The daughter of Savsensation has shown a real affinity for the 2050m trip at Strath, now 3 from 3. It is a real testament to the STR team to have the mare still performing deep into a 12-start campaign. The utilization of 'Theodore Hill' at home allows the horses to stay fit and sound for longer. A big congratulations to Sav's loyal owners, which includes family and friends. She has been a great little money spinner for connections, particularly when Stephen Theodore declares her pre-race, and a real poster girl for the STR stable.

Sav Sizzles At Strath

Hard Leaf 'Russell' found his favoured conditions this afternoon at Oakbank, when he recorded victory in Race 7, the CG&amp;E 0-56 contest over the 1400m journey. The wet conditions over recent days saw the track rated a Heavy 8 by the last race and this boded well for Russell, who travelled sweetly through the conditions for his pilot Will Price. The four-year-old son of Long Leaf found a forward position in running and was quickly joined by other rivals jostling for an early position. The gelding handled the undulations of Oakbank to his advantage, which saw him gain the lead and a couple of lengths on his rivals on the downhill into the straight before lengthening again, when the whips were cracking at the business end, to record a two-length victory. STR connections were not the only participants bullish on Russell putting in a solid performance, with the market support coming throughout the day for the gelding, as he shortened to his starting price of $6. It was a pleasing reward and result for Russell's owners, at only his fourth start with STR.

Hard Leaf Relishes The Wet Deck At Oakbank

Flying Brant 'Barry' was able to knock over his maiden in career start number two at Balaklava this afternoon in Race 3 the Sportsbet Racing Form Maiden Plate over the 1400m journey. Barry secured a lovely steer from jockey Jackson Murphy, as the pair pushed forward from the start to co-lead the event. The speed in the race remained genuine as Jackson and Barry received pressure in the lead from $201 pop Bright Delight. Barry was able to shake off Bright Delight quickly rounding the home turn and was then joined by his main rivals in behind, the major challenge being the second favourite in Discreetly Blue who loomed large at the 150m mark, however, not be defied, Barry accepted the challenge, found another length and proved too strong to and through the finishing line to keep Discreetly Blue at bay. It was a pleasing result for trainer and jockey alike, both of whom were eagerly awaiting their next victories, with a few things not rolling their way of late. Post race a happy Stephen Thoedore commented on both horse and jockey, stating "you can still see he's (Flying Brant) got a hell of a lot to learn but he's got a very bright future, the stable probably hasn't had the best of luck as late and I just said to Jackson, who's probably as desperate as me for a winner, just go to the front and up him for the rent and get going and take bad luck out of the equation, you could still see he wanted to run around a bit (late) like the locals at Murray Bridge at midnight but the best thing is he's got a stack of ability and he's only going to get better." Furthermore, Theodore commented "he's (Flying Brant) got a bright future, and we're always grateful in the Maroon and Gold when Campolina send horses our way". Post race a jubilant Jackson Murphy commented "he's a pretty talented horse obviously he needs to learn a lot you could tell he was in front, but he was looking around waiting for the rest of them, so I think he's going to go a lot further then this and improve a lot of that run just give him that confidence to hit the line in front and he was waiting for em' but he's obviously a couple of levels above this". Jackson also provided his thoughts on how the race transpired and how the horse responded under the race pressure, noting "I was always super confident in the way he was travelling throughout the run and even when they loomed up to us I knew I had plenty left in hand, it was more the fact of just trying to guide him and nurse him to that point, I had plenty left in the end, he was just good enough to run away from them at the line, so it was a good win". The 3-year-old son of Flying Artie demonstrates talent, needs to iron out some greenness, however, appears destined for a bright future at STR. The victory today is very rewarding for Barry's big band of owners, led by the Campolina Syndicate, but also for the very hard working and diligent Jackson Murphy, who has been chasing that elusive win since relocating to SA from QLD. The opportunities will keep presenting for Jacko, as his confidence continues to prosper.

Barry Flies High at Balak

Our 6-year-old mare Savsonic 'Sav' relished the drop in grade and rise in trip to record a relatively soft victory under a textbook steer from smart hoop Cam Rawiller at Strathalbyn this afternoon in Race 5 the 0-58 Handicap over the 2050m trip. Cam and Sav left the machines well and went forward to find the box seat in running, with the race favourite Warrandyte Road being caught wide and working while Sav was reserving energy and enjoying the race shape. Cam elected to leave the fence, push into the clear and rush to the front ensuring the mare was going to be difficult to capture. With the race to bed, the pair eased down late to record a soft 0.96L victory. Post race an upbeat and smiling Head Trainer Stephen Theodore commented that it was "such an easy watch, probably I'll start by thanking the lucky hat! No look, dropping back to 58 grade and she's a multiple metropolitan winner and on her day, she's got a stack of ability. Its been two steps forward and one step back, the whole career since she's come into my barn, albeit it's been still a wealthy sort of commodity to the team, back to 2000m where we thinks she's at her best, sound, aided by a terrific ride, a confident ride, put her in a spot to be winning and put them to the sword early." Theodore commented on the stables association with jockey Cam Rawiller and the wider Rawiller family, stating "this kid (Rawiller) here is probably a 2-length bonus at the moment, he's riding with great confidence, the Rawiller and Theodore family go all the way back to Bendigo, more so his Dad and his Dad with my Dad rather than us two, but we are making a good team at the moment". Post-race Cam Rawiller commented that "I knew we were home a long way out, you know he hasn't let me down Stephen, he's been on song with a lot of horses, he knows his horses really well, and today's another testament to that so awesome result and just really pleasingly to see this horse strike some nice form." On what the future may bring for Sav, Rawiller noted "these sort of trips are her go for sure, she's one to follow 100%", "I didn't overexert her too much late and there's a couple of staying races coming up soon." Today's victory has taken the daughter of Savsensation's overall record to 5 wins with another 10 placings, which is testament to her fortitude and placement by the team. Sav is well loved by many including her big band of owners, which includes SAROA President Allie Umoff and her husband former SAJC Board Member John Girvan and key local figures in Ken Hinkley, John Butcher and Chris Dittmar.&nbsp;

Sav Shines At Strath

Four-year-old mare Briseis Eclipse, or Betty as known around the stable, secured her second career victory at Bordertown yesterday on Cup Day, in Race 4 the 0-54 Fillies &amp; Mares Handicap over the 1200m journey. After leaving the machines cleanly, Betty and hoop Campbell Rawiller elected to be positive and find a forward position in running, sitting outside the leader. At the top of the straight the pair elected to take over and skip away, putting a couple of lengths on their rivals, to record a comprehensive 3.44 length victory. It was a pleasing performance for the daughter of Overshare, at only her second start for the stable, and she was clearly a class above with a positive ride from Rawiller and a dominant closing sectional under hands and heels. The connections, led by Ian Bell and the Campolina Syndicate, were all smiles with the performance, as was Head Trainer Stephen Theodore, who was enjoying crayfish and a refreshing beverage at the On Fire Racing Christmas Show in Darwin. For Betty, she will look forward to her preparation ahead, particularly when she's gains further race experience and irons out her quirks under the tutelage of Head Trainer Stephen Theodore and the STR Team.

Betty Eclipses Rivals at Bordertown

Our four-year-old mare Saint Boom continued her good form this preparation, winning Race 1 at Balaklava this afternoon, the Agfert Class One Handicap over the 1600m journey. With the services of veteran hoop Jason Holder, Boom was able to secure a lovely run in transit and be presented at the right time in the small field to make the winning move into the home straight. Pleasingly, Boom was able to find that length when it mattered, which saw her clock the fastest last 200m of the race to ensure victory was in her keeping. Post-race with Terry McAuliffe, an upbeat Stephen Theodore made comment on his thoughts leading into the race, stating that "when the fields came out, it was a small field, but the second favourite won a maiden in 2023, I mean she's got good current form, so if that was the main danger, and that's not disrespectful to the second horse, but if that was the main danger, I was pretty confident my mare's going places, so I want to be winning today if I want to go to town on Saturday week". McAuliffe made reference to the mare started her career under the care of former trainer Peter Hardacre, who has remained in ownership, when transferred to STR. Theodore humorously discussed his recent pre-race chat with Hardacre over dinner at the Wellington Hotel the night prior, commenting "he's such a reserved guy (Hardacre) and I'm such a hyperactive sort of dude and I said to him we'll bid on margins, not if she wins, he said oh just shut up, play it down, there a good bunch of owners he said, they're not used to that side of talk". Theodore paid respect to Hardacre, stating "I'm grateful for Pete on giving me the opportunity, his new business model, as I said if I keep winning races there might be a few more find their way, and he's going to live the lifestyle that I want, that you don't have to go to the races every day with the pressure". The relationship with Hardacre goes back many years to the Cranbourne days, as Theodore jokingly commented on reflection "I had hair, teeth and we were both young blokes back in the day, so 2003 that was when I first met Peter". Post-race with McAuliffe, Holder made comment on how the race transpired from his pilot seat, stating "it worked out lovely Tez, I got a lovely run from where we were, I heard Ben Price (By The Book) coming and I thought jeez I need to find to win the race and she found, which was great, she found under pressure, she gave me a good length, and she was too good for them". The daughter of Spirit of Boom will now look to return to Saturday class in the coming weeks to continue her rise in form this preparation. The future does looks bright for the gorgeous mare who is now starting to find her way, much to the delight of the owners led by Hardacre.

Boom Goes Bang At Balak

<div style="text-align: left;">Oxford Blue, or Caesar as he's affectionally known, rallied in the very wet conditions to fight back and claim victory in Race 3, the 65k Sportsbet Country Mile Final at Morphettville yesterday.</div>
 The well fancied $2.80 pop was the one the punters wanted to be on, however, the stable where anxious leading in due to the inclement weather of the day. In driving rain, Campbell Rawiller was able to propel the bay gelding forward and lead the race with pressure at their girth, Rawiller attempted to gain a breather mid race, which saw him get a trail behind the mid race leader. Rawiller got to work on the gelding rounding the home turn and the job appeared difficult as Crown Mint headed and went past Caesar, however, the strength and skills of Rawiller coupled with the fight and tenacity of Caesar saw them lift off the canvas to score a gutsy win. Relief and sense of achievement flooded Head Trainer Stephen Theodore post-race, as the long-range plan to pull off another Finals Day victory appeared to be playing to script race week, however, was severely tempered on race day with the persistent rain that wouldn't subside. Post-race with Terry McAuliffe, Theodore provided insight into his mindset leading in, commenting "it's a hard day today, this horse he went so bad for me his first start on a soft track, then I went to Mildura and proved that he can run 3rd, it was dry tracks we tipped him out, and we had it all set, then the rain come". Theodore provided further insight into Caesar's preferred conditions and how the race played out in transit from his unique perspective, stating when "working him at home on the Good 3 at Murray Bridge, which is nearly every Tuesday, he's so electric, and as soon as you sort of soften those tracks up he's just dour, and even Cam, and I'm going to say that's a brilliant ride, but when he let that horse go around him you know I haven't had a smoke for 11 years but I was looking for a bunger, I was that desperate". Theodore paid homage to Caesar's influential owner, remarking with gratitude that "Rob Cummings is a very influential person in racing, I ended up with a horse with good form and wrecked it in two starts and now I'm rectifying it". Theodore took time to take stock, reflect on what was achieved, and pay respect to the STR Team stating "I'm as proud as punch, because it's Finals Day and Sports Bet Finals Day and South Australia's chance to showcase after a wonderful spring", on the STR team, Theodore named the team individually jokingly stating "they all make me look good, without hair and teeth", "what a great result for everybody". The STR team can proudly boast that on three separate Finals Day's the stable has secured three different victories; Divine Fire, Fine Future and now Oxford Blue. It is vitally important that the team target these events, with the rich prizemoney on offer, to ensure owners are receiving the maximum benefits. Caesar has now secured victory number three along with six other placings in his short but consistent career to date. That important Finals Day win also propels the gelding's prizemoney to just shy of the 135k mark. The four-year-old son of Fiorente will now likely tackle the Bordertown Cup in the coming weeks, hoping to add more Silverware to the mantle for Rob and connections.