Friday, 8 June 2012: Jockey Jamie Mott was the star on the first day of the big Swan Hill carnival on Friday with four wins including the $100,000 Golden Topaz aboard dashing grey sprinter Alpha Proxima.
Mott also enjoyed success aboard the Ciaron Maher-trained Sayangku, the two-year-old Under The Leaner in the Elvstroem Classic and completed his four timer on Waterford Hill.
After jumping well from barrier 11 in the Golden Topaz, Mott drove Alpha Proxima to the front where he eventually settled outside leader Eight Bills.
The Leon Corstens-trained gelding was allowed to balance up on entering the straight before bounding away for a dominant win by nearly three lengths.
Mott said the grey raced well and had the 1200m event at his mercy a long way from home.
“I wanted to get a bit of cover on him but he began well and I didn't really have any choice other than to sit outside the leader,” Mott said.
“With the long straight here I was mindful to just hold onto him as I straightened.
“Before I let him go I had that much horse underneath me and he has won really easily.”
The win was the gelding's second in succession after a success at Caulfield and took his career earnings above $250,000.
The Swan Hill June Carnival continues with seven races on Saturdays Family Day before Sunday's bumper 10 race card featuring the $85,000 Murray Downs Golf & Country Club Swan Hill Cup.
