He took out The Jockeys Memorial Class 1 Handicap (1660m) to provide jockey Andrew Banks with a win on his birthday day.

Of more importance, the race was designed to honour five jockeys who had been killed while racing at the Murrumbidgee Club.

Banks, who has been riding for 28 years, said it was a special race to win.

“It means a lot as we race in a dangerous game and I’m thankful every time I go around and come back safe,” Banks said.

“It is really special as it is the only business where they follow us around with an ambulance, it is pretty dangerous, and every time we get out there we are putting our life into our own hands.”

The fallen jockeys, Alfred Felstead (1895), Ernest Wilson (1897), Allen Sydney “Jack” Hughes (1930), Albert Langley (1968) and Charlie Cepero (1984), were remembered following the race with a plaque unveiled.

“The punting priest” Father Joe Giaccobe travelled from Melbourne to attend the ceremony.

He thought is a good thing to be involved.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for jockeys as it is a very dangerous profession and they are very courageous and dedicated people,” Giaccobe said.

“To acknowledge those who lost their lives is a good act.”

After a win on debut, Banks was also impressed with how Paris Sizzler responded to a middle of the pack finish last time out.

“I was very happy with it,” he said. “He got a little tired late but that was expected.”