Codi Jordan delivered three superb rides to snare a treble and take a commanding lead in the race for the Tasmanian jockeys’ premiership in Devonport on Sunday.
In Brief
- Gaudy Girl impressive at first start in state.
- Ubriaco could be Devonport Cup bound.
- Rebel might have the X factor.
But her archrival Siggy Carr kept her slim hopes of notching her first senior title alive by riding the last two winners on the eight-race program.
Jordan started the day on 56 wins to be six wins clear of Carr and when she stretched her lead to nine the second-year apprentice had the title in the bag, but Carr has never been one to quit and put in two super rides to end the day seven off the lead.
Her treble might be enough to put the title out of Carr's reach with only two meetings remaining, one in Launceston next Sunday and the last in Hobart the following week.
Jordan's winners were Gaudy Girl and Ubriaco for her master Glenn Stevenson, and she also partnered the Rowan Hamer-trained Eight Margaritas to an overdue win in the Kevin Sharkie maiden over 1650m.
Gaudy Girl was having her first start in the state and made quite an impression as she missed the start by a length to settle last in the Birdcage Tavern Maiden (1009m) while the well-tried first-starter Shim ($2.90 fav) led.
Jordan never panicked when the mare left the gates late and when she called on the former King Islander to extend 40m out she quickly hauled in the leaders and went on to score by over a length from Prophet Eyes ($16) and joint rank outsider Feisty Lion ($101).
Stevenson said the mare was purchased by her owners Ron and Joy Crack from King Island as a potential stayer.
"Ron and Joy are confident she will get a trip and so am I," Stevenson said.
"I'll step her up to 1150m next start and then we might put her over 1350m, but I reckon she will be much better next prep as we step her up in distance."
Gaudy Girl's stablemate Ubriaco ($8.50) was very impressive in winning the Ladbrokes Fast Withdrawals Benchmark 68 over 1350m, coming from midfield to power home and easily defeat Banca Nip ($26) and Barjeel ($21).
"I have a bit of an opinion of Ubriaco and if I'm right he could be a Devonport Cup prospect."
Jordan delivered a copybook salute aboard Eight Margaritas that was heavily backed to start the $2 favourite in the Kevin Sharkie Maiden (1650m) and chased down Pop A Honda ($7.50) to defeat that three-year-old gelding by three quarters of a length with Liskamm ($4.40) a neck away third.
The Rowan Hamer-trained mare had finished second at three of her four previous starts and deserved to break through.
Carr's wins came aboard the John Blacker-trained mare Port Berry in the Tasmanian Horse Transport Benchmark 62 over 1880m and the Team Wells prepared Rebel Factor that could end up in Melbourne if co-trainer Trent Wells has his way.
Rebel Factor ($2.15 fav) settled just worse than midfield and one-off with cover in the benchmark 68 Handicap over 1009m, while Vetlanda ($8) shared the lead with Bothered to the top of the home straight.
Vetlanda shrugged off Bothered that started to capitulate 200m out, but when Carr gave Rebel Factor more rein, he quickly hauled the filly in and went on to defeat her by over two lengths with Sharma Rama doing her best work late to grab third.
"Rebel Factor is a very smart horse and I reckon he's good enough to take to Melbourne," Trent Wells said.
Rebel Factor is owned by Chris and Sharon Wickham who bred the gelding that is out of the Wickhams' former star race mare Rebel Bride.
