She Can Skate graduates to stakes grade

Saturday 8 June 2013, 4:34pm

She Can Skate transformed a retired forklift driver into a stakes-winning trainer with her brave win at Flemington on Saturday.

The filly, who added to trainer Geoff Wheeler's recent run in the Listed Creswick Stakes (1200m), is just one of two horses he trains from stables behind his family home.

Training was a part-time profession for Wheeler until his recent retirement.

"I had a family of four boys to feed, plus the horses," Wheeler said. "I'm retired and full-time now on the horses."

She Can Skate provided Wheeler with his first city win with her four-length win on her home track on May 25 but she had to work harder for her latest victory as the trainer's son Reece was in the saddle again to complete a family success.

The younger Wheeler sent the $3.50 favourite to the lead from her inside barrier but she only had a nose to spare over backmarker Spending ($9) with Winta Chiller ($16) a half head away third.

Wheeler said She Can Skate would have one more run before a spell.

Reece Wheeler, meanwhile, enjoyed more success when the progressive galloper Star Rolling won the Rod Johnson Handicap (2000m).

Star Rolling ($7) settled back in the field before Wheeler brought him down the centre of the track to score a comfortable two-length win for training partners Peter Morgan and Craig Widdison.

Nisos ($18) finished second while the early pacesetter Backstedt ($8.50) held third.

"I couldn't say when was the last time I rode a double at Flemington but it's great," Wheeler said.

Apprentice Chad Schofield also booted home a double earlier in the program when he won the Birthday Handicap (1400m) for his master David Hayes aboard Catered ($15) before steering the Robert Smerdon-trained Cooldini home in the Birthday Handicap (1400m).

Schofield made the most of his last day with a claim after outriding his allowance at Moonee Valley midweek.

– AAP

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