Scone trainer John Ramsey was excited about the prospects of his filly Smoodge in a race at Tamworth on Friday however there was a problem.
Stewards ordered the withdrawal of the three-year-old the day before the Tamworth race because Ramsey had not renewed his trainers’ licence before the 30th June deadline.
The trainer had also accepted with Smoodge for the 1400 metre Newcastle Nobbys at Newcastle on Saturday. After the Tamworth scratching he renewed his licence online.
With evergreen Hall of Famer Robert Thompson in the saddle, the filly overcame a three wide run to snatch victory in a driving finish.
Ramsey was stoked with the win. “I was down in the dumps because Robert and I believed she would win at Tamworth. I am working from dawn to dusk training the horses and helping dad on his stud. I forgot to renew the licence but as it turns out the Newcastle race was worth $16,740 while at Tamworth first prize was $11200.
I broke the filly in then dad sent her to Bjorn Baker to train. He gave her three trials but didn’t start her and sent her home. I always liked Smoodge so dad asked me to train her and I couldn’t be happier. I have given the filly nine starts for three wins and three placings and prizemoney of $60,310,” Ramsey said.
He built stables at the Scone track in 2016 and he has 26 horses there. 6 of the horses are racing, 12 he is pre-training and another 8 he is breaking in.
For the 61-year-old Thompson it was win number 4409.
Port Macquarie apprentice Cejay Graham produced a gem of a ride on the promising Seel The Deel winner of the 1500 metre Class 1 Handicap. backed from $3.50 to $2.70, the three-year-old came from last on the turn with a barnstorming finish to win by half a length.
Trained by former champion jockey Ron Quinton, Seel The Deel is undefeated in this campaign and he could develop into a nice stayer. A son of former crack stayer Dundeel, the gelding was second past the post at Kembla first up but won the race in the steward’s room.
He would’ve won the race easily except for interference. Graham was prepared to allow Seel The Deel to bowl along in last place to the 300 metre point where he unleashed a powerful finish. Graham is on loan to Sydney trainers Peter and Paul Snowden and she is making a good fist of her time in Sydney. “It had been a great experience. I have ridden 10 or 11 winners since I joined the Snowden’s two months ago. They are a wonderful family and I hope they take me on after the three months is up.
Seel The Deel is very talented and so strong, he will be a good stayer,” Graham said.
Cejay the 20-year-old daughter of Mid North Coast jockey Peter Graham has now ridden 101 winners.
Keagan Latham amazing recent run of success continued at Newcastle on Saturday when he rode two winners.
The “Springboks” winners were $31 chance Tricky Gal in the 1400 metre Maiden Plate and $1.35 favourite Aloneinabaa in the 900 metre Maiden Plate. Latham has ridden 12 winners in the past 14 days. “It has been a great ride. I came here today with mixed expectations. Mathew Smith wasn’t confident with Tricky Gal, he told me to let her find her feet which I did and she stormed home.
I knew Aloneinabaa was the best horse in his race, but I watched his replays and he misses the start.
Richard Freedman said when he legged me up to not miss the start. When the gates opened the horse came out second last, but he recovered to just win,” Latham said.
The shock of the day was the win of $101 chance Run For Glory ridden by Blake Spriggs.