Ash Morgan edged closer to fellow Novocastrian Aaron Bullock in the New South Wales Jockeys Premiership with a patient ride to win the opening event, the Davali Thoroughbreds Benchmark 64 Handicap at the Newcastle racecourse on Tuesday aboard the Paul Perry trained Majestic Style.
Bullock, expected to have surgery on a fractured clavicle this week, leads the NSW Jockeys Premiership with 137 winners and Morgan has now ridden 133.5 winners. However, Morgan copped a one week suspension on Sunday, but can ride until July 21 and return on July 27. The season ends on July 31.
Formerly trained in Victoria by Danny O’Brien, Majestic Style has won three of twelve starts since joining Perry’s Newcastle stable and it was her second win at Newcastle. Morgan allowed the mare to settle in the second half of the field on the rail and she never went around a horse in the straight, outstaying the opposition to win by 1.21 lengths over the tough 2200m course. Morgan was interviewed by Sky Racing following the event. “It was a good ride, wasn’t it. Nathan Perry said he has been in good form at home and the plan was to be neutral out of the gates. Because of the headwind I didn’t want to leave the fence” Morgan said.
Paul Perry who turned 75 on Monday was not on track however the stable brought up a double when Valentino Prince broke through for his first win in twelve starts in the New Zealand Bloodstock Maiden Plate (1200m). Given a gun ride by Adam Hyeronimus in fourth place the three-year-old sprinted quickly in the last 100m to win by ¾ length.
Jean Van Overmeire reached a century of winners for the season when the Peter and Paul Snowden filly Zarrose was impressive in winning the Sharp Office Benchmark 64 Handicap (1400m). JVO settled back in the eight-horse field on Zarrose and the former South African let the filly cruise up wide on the track at the top of the straight and she scored by ¾ length. Overmeire moved to Sydney in 2015 and has ridden more than 500 winners.
In form apprentice Molly Bourke was the only rider to land a double at the meeting. Bourke took the $10 chance Zale to the front from the outset, and he was never headed in the Lees Racing Maiden Plate (1400m). Trained by Gary Nickson it was Zale’s first win in twelve starts but he indicated a win was not far off in his previous start at Hawkesbury when placed after racing three wide with no cover.
The Wagga girl’s patient ride on Mudgee trained Amicus Curiae was a beauty in the Strathayr Benchmark 64 Handicap (1400m). The six-year-old went into the race with sound country form but he had to overcome a wide barrier. After being slow into stride, the gelding settled a clear last, and he was still at the tail of the field approaching the home turn. Bourke made her run down the outside of the field and Amicus Curiae unwound strongly to hit the front 50m from home. However long shot Oakfield Warpaint flashed home between runners to fail by a nose. Bourke has ridden 44 winners on NSW tracks this season.
Denman Star, a new addition to the Gosford stable of Angela Davies ran up to a good recent trial when he won the Prince Of Merewether Class 1 Handicap (1200m). Andrew Gibbons, the regular rider for the Davies stable was aboard Denman Star a former Ciaron Maher trained galloper.
Chris Waller’s Mountain Top, unwanted by punters bolted in with the Horsepower Maiden Plate (1200m). She was first up after solid Canterbury form last preparation, and she had a Rosehill trial four days before Tuesday’s race.