RACING
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JERILDERIE trainer Phillip Sweeney beamed with pride as daughter Brooke delivered him an Australia Day victory aboard Little Capri at the Murrumbidgee Turf Club yesterday.
In a racing rarity, young apprentice jockey Brooke handed her father the memorable win in the Sureway Employment and Training Maiden Handicap (1000m).
As the celebrations began for the pair, Phillip was quick to praise his daughter for her determined ride in the first event of the MTC’s annual Australia Day Races.
“She (Brooke) has been riding very well,” Phillip said.
“She did a good job.”
It was an exciting win for the dynamite pair, with the well-built chestnut gelding enjoying success in his first foray into racing.
Phillip was impressed with the three-yearold’s run, but admitted he had been quietly confident Little Capri had the ability and potential to make his journey to Wagga worthwhile.
“It was good run, a good first start for the boy,” Phillip said.
“I thought he was a bit of a chance coming in but you never really know. This was a suitable race for him so it’s a good result.
“I’d say he will now head to Victoria (to race) because that’s where his owners are based.
Little Capri, who paid $7.50 for the win, was resolute in yesterday’s victory, holding off a fierce challenge from Gary Colvin-trained Cafe Charlie in the final stages of the race.
After taking a firm lead as the horses turned into the straight, Little Capri appeared to tire as Cafe Charlie ran on.
With Brooke pushing him forward, Little Capri fought on to secure a half-length victory over the Wagga gelding.
Alone With You, trained by Canberra’s Garry Kirkup, finished in third position, while Wagga-trained Rusty’s Delight powered into fourth after spending much of the race at the tail end.
Spectators noted that jockeys donned black arm bands for the race, a mark of respect for beloved former Sydney-based Jockeys Room Supervisor Bob Rowles who passed away recently at the age of 98.