Late pick-up rides for brothers and Tamworth trainers Kevin and Stephen Dixon have helped Bendemeer-based apprentice jockey Kelsey Lenton to a winning double at Tamworth on Friday.
Unfortunately, fellow apprentice Camille Houlgatte fell at Taree on Thursday and was out of action on Friday, but Lenton was there to take the opportunities with both hands.
The 21-year-old teamed up with the Stephen Dixon-trained Sure Strategy ($6.50) when winning the 1600m Benchmark 66 Handicap before bringing up a double on the Kevin Dixon-trained Indian Thunder ($7.50) in the 1200m Benchmark 58 Handicap.
“It was super, especially because they were late pick-up rides,” Lenton said.
“I felt a little bad for Camille Houlgatte, who couldn’t ride, but getting two wins at Tamworth and a double on a TAB day is good.”
It was a smart ride by Lenton on Sure Strategy in the mile event, with the pair settling in just behind the lead after jumping nicely from gate two.
Lenton then opted for the inside as the five-year-old cut the corner, went to the front, handled the heavy conditions, and hung on for a good win.
“I think she got the run of the race on what was the best part of the track at that time,” Lenton said.
“She was definitely up to that race, and her run prior at Taree was enormous, and she is just so tough, and she tries her heart out.
“Plus, she only had 52kg on her back yesterday, and I think that helped.”
Indian Thunder made a mockery of his previous poor form on heavy tracks, eventually finding the front in the six-furlong event before pulling away for a comfortable victory.
Lenton, who rode the rising nine-year-old to a good win in the Lightning Ridge Cup in April, was thrilled to get him over the line at Tamworth.
“He is such a cool ride, and nothing really fazes him; he just does his thing, and if you keep him comfortable, he can finish off well,” Lenton said.
“It was always questionable with how he would go, and considering it was quite chopped up, he did go super.
“It took him a bit to get to the lead, but once he was there, he sustained that high cruising speed and was never worried one bit.”
The three-kilogram claiming apprentice, who also won on the Jeremy Sylvester-trained Nosey at Muswellbrook on Monday, teams up with her boss at Gunnedah on Tuesday, taking four rides for the Bendemeer-based Jane Clement.
Lenton believes she is on a few good chances when jumping aboard Glorien in the 1000m Maiden Handicap, Sparks in the 1000m BM 58 Handicap, Red Beryl in the 1400m Open Handicap, and Bill Peyto in the 1600m BM 58 Handicap.
“I’ve got the four rides for Jane on Tuesday, and I really like them all, to be honest,” Lenton said.
“Glorien had an enormous run at Scone when first-up and Red Beryl and Bill Peyto are both really consistent.”
For all results from Tamworth, click here.
For Gunnedah fields, click here.
