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Victorian jockey James Winks could not have hoped for a better way to wrap up his first Mauritius stint with the Patrick Merven yard when he brought up a riding double in the last two races of the season at the Champ de Mars on Saturday.
The feat, who saw Winks return to scales to a rousing reception from his newfound fans, will also serve as the perfectspringboard and confidence booster ahead of his participation with fellow Australians Brad Rawiller and Mark Zahra (both at their first Mauritius experience) at the International Jockeys’ Weekend on December 3 and 4.
Winks began the day tied in fifth spot with local rider Yashin Emamdee (both on 16 wins), but ahead on a better countback for seconds. After Emamdee kicked one clear with Apple Pie in Race 3, Winks who had only four rides (following two scratchings) from the eight-race programme, was left with only two bullets to reclaim his Top 5 mantle following a slow start on Prince Of Wings (sixth) and Donnie Brasco (fifth).
He did not waste either.
He first levelled up with Emamdee thanks to Criss Cross Man in the penultimate race, flipping back up into fifth place on a better countback for seconds (17 versus 14).
With Emamdee stood down after Race 5, Winks was safe, but he still went one win clear for good measure in the last race by booting home Seven League Boots from barrier to boxto end the season with a flourish.Incidentally, he wrapped up the Mauritius stint the same way he began it, as he also got off to a flier with a double at his first day in the office back in July.
All up, Winks, has notched up 17 winners in 89 rides over 20 meetings for a decent strike rate of 19.1%, to wind up in fifth place, 26 winners behind new champion jockey Donavan Mansour from South Africa. Unlike Winks, Mansour began the season from the kick-off back in March.
“It’s a good way to finish the season. We fancied both horses, especially Seven League Boots, and they didn’t let us down,” said Winks.
“I’m happy with my score, 17 wins, considering I started late and we were running on only 20 horses left in work towards the end.I’ve also ridden at least one winner in the last six meetings.
“Now for the international meeting. I hope I draw good rides, it should be a great weekend.”
In the other Mauritius premierships, Gilbert Rousset secured his fifth champion trainer title while Parachute Man was crowned Horse of the Year. The son of High Chaparral is returning to South Africa where he will represent Mauritius in the ZAR 1 million Grade 1 Sun Met (previously the J&B Met) over 2000m on January 28, 2017.
