Racing

CALM RIDE PREVAILS ON STORM

Lisa Staples did everything right in landing Dusty Storm a winner at Belmont yesterday in the first race (1300m).

Originally from barrier one the petite blonde rider planned to lead but when General Husson (Troy Turner) and Speed Bandit (Natasha Faithfull) came across to surge forward early the former Swedish jockey was happy to yield to that duo.

“Troy’s horse was pulling so I was happy to sit,” she said.

Staples closeted her mount in behind the leader waiting for the right moment to use the cut away rail to her advantage in the home straight.

That is precisely what happened, although momentarily Turner’s mount also looked like rolling on her as she pushed up on the inside. However, General Husson was straightened by Turner and  the pair fought out a spirited duel.

But at the post Dusty Storm was clearly going the better while the fast finishing Royal Missile (Peter Knuckey) edged General Husson out of second place.

Trainer Paul Jordan said Staples who does the track work on the horse had replaced regular rider Ryan (Boy ) Hill currently in England, after a short suspension. “Lisa has been a good rider at provincial meetings, and is better looking than that other Staples,” (her jockey husband, Craig, who also rides for the trainer).

Jordan’s comments are backed up by the statistics. Of her 48 winning rides this season, (at an 11 per cent strike rate) 43 have been on provincial tracks.

Doubles

Senior riders Pat Carbery and William Pike both had winning doubles at the mid week fixture.

Carbery was successful aboard Atlantic Blue and Patrimonio while Pike closed in on Paul Harvey’s record of 116.5 metropolitan wins in a season, scoring on Entrechat and Angelic Angel, respectively.

Pike needs only two more wins, to establish that new record, in what appears a fait accompli, given that the current season does not finish before the end of July.