The conga line of key departures from South Australia begs the question; even if the state government eventually comes to the party, will it be too late?
Months after top trainer Phillip Stokes moved the bulk of his team to Pakenham, and a fortnight after Lloyd Kennewell closed his Morphettville stables, the state’s champion jockey is about to depart.

Jamie Kah, the most prominent “player” and pin-up participant of South Australian racing, announced today that she would be moving to Melbourne.

She said she hoped the move would enhance her chances of winning her first Group One race. She said she would ride as a freelancer.

It follows Kah’s decision in December to walk away from her role of stable rider for South Australia’s top trainer, Tony McEvoy.

Kah’s departure comes in the same season as her champion rival Clare Lindop retired to become a local councilor and as promising youngster Kayla Crowther has joined Stokes at Pakenham.

Crowther, regarded by Lindop as a rising star, rode her first Victorian winner for Stokes at Sale yesterday.

Kah will be based at Cranbourne initially and will ride jumpouts at Cranbourne (Monday), Caulfield (Tuesday) and Flemington (Friday) in a bid to establish a strong client base.

Her manager Nick Pinkerton said Kah would make a firm decision on Melbourne after the spring carnival.

A significant funding cut from the SA state government led last month to prizemoney cuts and anger and disappointment in the racing industry.

There had been hope that the government might be more generous once the state budget is delivered in May/June but by them the damage might be done.

BY: Matt Stewart RSN Racing Editor