STURMINSTER could be 12 months off being a handy galloper, but hinted at that potential when he overcame an early problem to win yesterday’s $15,000 Chisi Park Thoroughbreds Maiden (1400m).
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The three-year-old gelding was having his fifth race start and coming off a fair third at Quirindi on Willow Tree Cup day but “missed the kick”.
“He’s a bit of a rogue,” trainer Sue Grills admitted.
“And still immature. He’ll be a better horse in 12 months’ time.”
She said stable apprentice Sophie Young did well after missing the jump to press forward along the rail with the son of Shaft.
A race later and Maybegrey led throughout to notch a long overdue win.
The Leon Davies-trained mare gave nothing else a chance, beating race favourite Boolaroo by two and half lengths in the Paul Tydd Building Class 1 Handicap (1400m).
“He went straight to the lead and gave them a galloping lesson,” was on-course race caller Bob Poetschka’s assessment.
“Led them a merry dance.”
Darren Jones rode the daughter of Botswana and always confident for what was his 21st win of the season.
“Never going to get beat,” Darren Jones told Leon Davies.
It was also Leon Davies 21st winner of the racing season and he was delighted she had broken through for a second win at her 11th start.
“She was back in grade and had a good aggressive ride,” he said.
o Meanwhile Leanne Henry celebrated the feature double at Sunday’s Gunnedah Cup meeting by adding the final race of the day to her winners list.
After making it a marvellous day for Muswellbrook trainer Stephen Gleeson by booting Don’t Tease Me and Pippi’s Pride to the Lightning-Cup double she then made it a double for Dubbo trainer Dar Lunn when she arrived in the last few bounds to win the Lambert and Torrens Class 3 Handicap (1200m) with Playing Game.
Lunn had won the Akwazoff Handicap with Mornington winner Leaders Road earlier in the day when young apprentice Jesse Graham claimed perfectly.
Then Henry launched Playing Game late for the four-year-old daughter of Playing Hours to win her fourth career race at her 21st start.
It was Leanne’s 31st winner of the season.and her 20th in the HNWRA.
She is now sixth on the HNWRA jockey’s premiership, trailing Robert Thompson (44) by 24 winners.
