Young jockey Patrick Scorse has impressed in the season opener at Sapphire Coast Turf Club.
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Last year’s leading apprentice jockey rode three winners on the Bega District News Network race day on Thursday, November 1.
In addition he was officially presented with his trophy for last season’s efforts.
The Thursday race meet sponsored by the local media outlets was a perfect introduction to the upcoming race season. Racegoers stepped away from work for the day to get in the mood for Melbourne Cup next week.
“People were in the mood for racing, they were happy to come out for a day and have a bet,” Sapphire Coast Turf Club secretary/manager Rob Tweedie said.
A standout on the day was Canberra jockey and apprentice rider Patrick Scorse, the teenager claimed three wins on the day.
“He had such a fantastic day, a great effort for the start of a new season,” Tweedie said.
A mix of trainers have taken the spotlight in each race, the premium conditions of the track have given strong horses the chance to race at their best.
“The racing has been competitive, there has been horses winning that are leading the races on the speed, then there have been horses coming from the back.”
“The track has played really even which gives a lot of confidence to have a bet.”
Home-course trainer Barbara Joseph and her Joseph Jones stable had seven runners on the day.
One of them, Athonis, claimed the Bega District News Benchmark 74 Handicap over Whispered Prayer and Darts Away. The pack began slowly but picked up the pace down the straight.
“This was Athonis’s fifth start this time up and a good win,” Joseph said.
“We’ll take maybe a couple of weeks rest then be ready for the Bega and Moruya Cup carnivals.”
RESULTS
(Horse, barrier, trainer, jockey, margin)
Bombala Times Class 1 Handicap 1208m
BON ANNA 1 Aaron Clarke A. Layt; ATOMIC BLAST 5 Chris Hensler A. Sweeney (a1.5) 2.9L; QUIDEEM 6 John Marzol B. Owen (a0) 3.52L
Won At Moruya Maiden Plate
SEPULCHRE 3 Joseph Ible P. Scorse (a1.5); GOLD TOUCH 7 Luke Pepper K. Nisbet 0.98L; HIGH STREET 8 Todd Smart B. Owen (a0) 4.06L
Bega District News Benchmark 74 Handicap
ATHONIS (NZ) 5 Barbara Joseph, Paul & Matt Jones S. Miller; WHISPERED PRAYER 1 Matthew J Stephens M. Travers 0.74L; DARTS AWAY 4 Barbara Joseph, Paul & Matt Jones A. Sweeney (a1.5) 1.34L
Bega Buy Local Maiden Plate
LADY TYCOON 1 Daniel Nickson P. Scorse (a1.5); VELVET AEROPLANE 6 Matthew Dale K. Nisbet 1.9L; BANJA LUKA 3 Mick Miladinovic B. Owen (a0) 2.49L
Eden Magnet Benchmark 58 Handicap
LIVING DOLL 3 Natalie Jarvis P. Scorse (a1.5); TRUMBO 5 Mick Miladinovic B. Owen (a0) 0.63L; SMART REMARK 4 Steven Cummins K. Nisbet 1.88L
Domain Maiden Handicap
EL NIETO 2 Luke Pepper K. Nisbet; STAR CASH 5 Richard & Luke Clarke S. Guymer 0.94L; LUGA LAD 9 Nick Olive B. Ward 1.68L
Merimbula News Weekly Benchmark 58
ELEGANT ELLEN 3 Richard & Luke Clarke S. Guymer; SONNETS 1 Lynda Bundy J. Taylor 1.47L; TYRES ARE CRUCIAL 5 Barbara Joseph, Paul & Matt Jones K. Nisbet 2.11L
For full results and replays of the day’s racing, visit Racing NSW