3 minute read
Peter Hardacre has his sights on a Victorian raid with talented sprinter Press Down after his brilliant return to form at Murray Bridge on Saturday.
Hardacre will look at the $150,000 Listed Golden Topaz at Swan Hill on Friday week, while there is another suitable option at Flemington the following day.
Press Down made amends for two luckless Group 3 runs during the Adelaide Racing Carnival - beaten 1.4 lengths behind subsequent Goodwood winner Benedetta in the R N Irwin before he was beaten 2.1 lengths behind Extremely Lucky in the Hawkes Stakes – with a dominant victory.
Ridden up on speed by new rider Neil Farley, Press Down justified some serious support in betting by pulling away from rivals to win by three lengths, his fifth win from just 19 starts.
Press Down was impressive, as was leading Todd Pannell who applied some pressure in the race for the 202334 Adelaide Jockey's Premiership with a riding treble.
Pannell won the opening race of the day aboard Snore Room for Richard and Chantelle Jolly before Geminga continued her brilliant form for local horseman Gary Boyce when she made it successive victories at city level before he produced a perfect ride aboard Smokin' Princess for Victorian trainer Michelle Payne.
Pannell's recent form has been ultra impressive, he rode seven winners in the months of March and April respectively before notching up his ninth winner from just 34 rides in May on the weekend.
Callan Murray had a riding double when the John Hyam-trained Dolcemente produced a big finish to score early in the day before combining with Bulls On Parade for local trainers Gary and Dean Alexander.
Over the border the Richard and Chantelle Jolly stable's brilliant strike-rate in Melbourne continued when Pudding regained winning form at Sandown on Saturday with Zac Spain in the saddle.
Spain forced to change his pre-race plans when the horse showed good early speed before safely holding rivals and recording his first win since the Listed John Letts Cup back in November.
"The plan wasn't to lead, that's for sure,'' Spain said.
"He began so well, I looked across and elected to take it up and get into a good rhythm.
"Gee he travelled through the dip and showed a good kick.
"Every time Richard and Chantelle bring one over from SA they're also in the money, hopefully I can stick with him again,'' he said.
At Mount Gambier on Sunday Victorian horseman Tom Dabernig's outstanding run continued with a training double having produced 21 winners from his last 87 runners.
Kate Walters took riding honours in combination with her dad Wayne.
Tala Hutchinson had another memorable day almost 800 kilometers away on Saturday at Hawker when she won three of the five races, including the Hawker Cup on Jamcra for Garret Lynch.
Hutchinson has enjoyed a brilliant start to her riding career with 20 winners coming from her first 96 rides since debuting in February, the Hawker Cup success following on from her Lock Cup victory in combination with Lynch back in February.
