3 minute read
Mandy Cottell looks back at the support races on The Ingham program.
Stanley dedicates win to late uncle
Celebrations were muted for apprentice Jett Stanley despite his win aboard the Tash Burleigh-trained Mosgold in the opening race at Randwick.
Stanley recently lost his uncle, former jockey Nathan, who died last week at the age of 47.
While happy to deliver for Mosgold's connections, Stanley said his thoughts were with his family during a difficult period.
"I want to send my condolences to my family and friends," Jett Stanley said.
"We're saying goodbye to my uncle next week. Hopefully everyone can make it there and have a nice ceremony."
Nathan Stanley was a successful jockey for more than two decades and won races in every Australian state, including the 2008 Darwin Cup on Club Liquid.
Baker continues to deliver
Fresh from capturing Perth's Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes with Overpass, Bjorn Baker has continued his outstanding run of form, this time in his adopted hometown.
The New Zealander, who has been training out of Sydney for many years, grabbed an early Randwick double with Fairway Star triumphant in the Bob Ingham AO Handicap (1400m) and Baby Rider in the Listed Santa Cup (2000m).
It was Baby Rider's first win since coming to Australia from France, but Baker wasn't surprised to see him turn around his form despite his $21 starting price.
"I think I made a mistake not having more on him, he never looked in doubt," Baker said.
"His work on Tuesday was exceptional.
"He's a Group Two winner from France and hasn't quite delivered. He's had one or two issues and it's great for OTI (Racing) and myself, we bought him in conjunction and it has worked out really well."
Baker will keep his options open for Baby Rider but could look at a return to Randwick for the Group 3 Summer Cup (2000m) later this month.
Lees cleans up in two states
Kris Lees has enjoyed a red-letter day, taking out the feature races at Randwick and Eagle Farm and producing a trio of winners in support races.
Loch Eagle kicked off Lees' Randwick form surge with his victory in the $3 million The Ingham (1600m) before Zoe's Promise followed suite in the Jack Ingham Handicap (1600m) and Brudenell in the Strawberry Hill Stud Handicap (1100m).
In Brisbane, Lees celebrated a double courtesy of Willinga Freefall in the RQ Provincial Series (Final) Handicap (1300m) and Dream Hour, who earned a Stradbroke Handicap slot with his success in the $300,000 The Gateway (1400m).
A humble Lees put his good day down to placing his team in the right races, along with a little bit of luck.
"It has been a good day," Lees said.
"You've just got to place them right on the right day, it just happened to all fall on the one day today.
"But there is something to look forward to next year with those two horses (Dream Hour and Loch Eagle)."
Along with Dream Hour earning a Stradbroke shot, Loch Eagle's win gifts him a ballot exemption for the Doncaster Mile.
Brudenell could also be set for bigger targets with Lees confirming the Listed Canterbury Sprint (1200m) on New Years' Day is on their radar.
McEvoy, Lloyd suspended for Christmas
The circumstances aren't ideal, but Kerrin Mcevoy will be free to spend Christmas and Boxing Day with his family after being suspended for careless riding at The Ingham meeting.
The top jockey was outed for four meetings for causing interference aboard Mckeon over the final 50 metres of the Coolmore Highway (1400m), the horse finishing runner-up to the Matt Dunn-trained Golden Decade.
McEvoy pleaded guilty to the charge and will start his penalty after next Saturday's Randwick meeting.
He will miss the Summer Cup program at headquarters on Boxing Day but will be back for the Belle of The Turf Stakes meeting at Gosford on December 28.
Apprentice Zac Lloyd was outed for seven meetings for carless riding aboard Runwiththetide in the Bob Ingham AO Handicap (1400m), the gelding finishing second-past-the-post but relegated to third after a successful protest by Nash Rawiller on Step Aside.
Lloyd will begin his penalty after the Wyong Magic Millions meeting on Wednesday and like McEvoy, can return for Gosford's feature day of the summer.
The champion apprentice has been largely keeping out of the stewards' room after a spate of suspensions last season, but chief stipe Steve Railton told him to be mindful of his riding.
"You've kept out of the stewards' room, which is to your credit, but keep ensuring it's uppermost in your mind and you're doing the right thing and being careful," Railton told Lloyd.
"A momentary lapse like that and you're out for two weeks."
Quote of the Day: "I don't think it's the toughest Inglis race but going forward, he is going to draw better barriers and have better runs than this and be able to finish off as good." – jockey Tyler Schiller thinks Inglis Nursery winner Odinson has a bright future.
