Horse Racing

A VIKING MARAUDER PUTS THEM TO THE SWORD

She may be blonde and petite but the attack that Lisa Staples launched in the fourth race, The Sunday Times Handicap (1200m) at Belmont, on June 17, did justice to her famous Viking forebears.

Staples, (nee Bivemark,) started her career as a jockey in Sweden. However, since having a solitary ride in Perth 2006-7, WA has become home and culminated in her marriage to fellow jockey Craig Staples in March 2013.

Aboard Smarty Wilson, resuming since last December, Staples had her charge near the rear with only three behind her.

Coming down the extreme outside Staples unleashed a charge on the leaders as fearsome as those of her invading ancestors when alighting from the dreaded longboats, in medieval times.

Just as Renee Forrest seemed set to prevail on Bells Tower, from stablemate Boy Byrnes (Chloe Azzopardi), it was Smarty Wilson that nailed them both, right on the winning post in a run timed to perfection.

In an all female apprentice jockey finish, Lucy Warwick was a close, but weakening fourth, on Sanctitude, at her first ride for the Paul Jordan stable.

Of the winner, an $11 chance, Staples said, “he was travelling well and I thought he could get a place but as we were back in the field I was not expecting to win.”

It was also Lisa Staples first ride for veteran trainer Don Daniels and he described it as “beautiful.”

“Lisa is very genuine has worked the horse, deserved the ride and I couldn’t fault her,” he said.

Daniels said the horse had plenty of potential and would probably be appreciate more ground, “up to a mile,” an opinion echoed by Staples.

“It is has been a learning curve with him, he is a bit of a fruit loop at times and I have just relied on the old style training formula, work slow and finish fast. We have also changed his feed,” Daniels said.

Peter Hall and Lucy Warwick both rode doubles at the meeting.

Hall showed good race judgement to land Cosmic Storm a winner in the sixth race, coming from midfield to score convincingly. Trainer Grant Williams said the jockey had said his galloper would appreciate the distance and was vindicated.

Williams said Cosmic Storm was beautiful at home but tendered to be nervy at the track.

Hall’s vigour was also illustrated when he rode a different style of race, leading all the way, on Hold Your Tongue in the next race, the Skyy Vodka Handicap (1400m).

Hall lifted the horse when it appeared Chilly Reception (Joe Azzopardi) was set to run past him at the 150m mark.

Trainer Dion Luciani scratched the horse from last Saturday’s fixture (13/6) because of a wide barrier draw. When the horse again drew the outside gate Luciani decided it was better having a go than earning nothing by staying at home.

Hall replaced Jerry Noske (unwell) on Hold Your Tongue. Noske probably got even sicker when Lucy Warwick replaced her on, and scored with Sandpipers (E2), in the last, for Fred Kersley.

Earlier in the day Warwick had won on Prohurst Express, the galloper firming from $8-$5.50 and he proved too strong for High Limit (Jordan Turner).

Trainer Brett Pope, who has been steadily ticking over winners, said Prohurst Express was one of those horses who needed well-spaced starts and very light campaigns of two-three races.

Another female rider successful at the meeting was Kate Fitzgerald on Dawn’s Flyer for David Harrison. Other successful riders were Shaun O’Donnell and Jarrad Noske, for trainers Neville Parnham and Chris Gangemi, repectively.