Apprentice jockey Joseph See claimed the Sunday riding honours hands-down thanks to his first career four-timer.
Already one of the leading lights among the apprentice jockeys’ ranks last year with 22 wins to wind up third (same score as Troy See but third on a countback for seconds) on the log, See began his rampage with Gold Stock for John O’Hara in the opener before doubling the dose with Pole Paradise for his master, Mok Zhan Lun, two races later.
He then hit a hat-trick of wins aboard Northern Boss for Michael Clements in Race 8 before signing off the dream run with one of his pet horses, Red Ant in the Lucky Last, again for Mok.
The smiling rider said he knew he had a good book of rides, but put it all down to luck and cautioned he might not enjoy the same rub of the green another day.
“I’m really happy. It’s my first four-timer ever, whether it’s here or Perth,” said the Western Australian-trained See.
“I would like to dedicate that win to my family who has been by No 1 supporter from Day 1, and also to all the owners and trainers who have supported me all these years.
“It’s just one of these days when all the horses go well for you and everything fell into place. On another day, two of these wins or all could have turned into second places.”
See’s celebrations were, however, somehow muted as an impending inquiry on his ride aboard Perfect Challenger last November, hangs over his head like a Damocles sword.
“It’s a great way to start the new season and I will enjoy this moment, but next week, there is an inquiry on one of my rides,” said See.
Mok for one was delighted with the way See had played a big part in kick-starting his 2016 season in a most auspicious fashion. Last year, the former foreign exchange trader did saddle a winner on New Year’s Day with Oasis Spur but had to wait for another two months before ringing in win No 2, Browne’s Anatomy, on March 6.
“Joe is in hot form and rode both my winners very well. Pole Paradise has been a bit unlucky but today found the line and Red Ant is just a very consistent sort,” said the Singaporean trainer.
“It’s not often I have two winners so early and I hope it will be the start of a good season for me.”
Handy throughout in the $60,000 Class 4 race over 1200m, Red Ant ($30) locked horns with favourite Groenewegen (Oscar Chavez) inside the last 300m before prevailing by one length with Asprey (Alan Munro) rattling home for third place another three parts of a length away. The winning time was 1min 12.34secs.
Racing in the maroon and black hooped colours made famous by The Hornet, Red Ant was recording his third win for the T&C Stable for stakes earnings tipping over the $110,000 mark. The four-year-old by Red Dazzler has been partnered by See at all his 13 starts.
