Pat Murphy will have plenty of reasons to be smiling after training a winning double at Bathurst on Tuesday.
The Goulburn conditioner made headlines earlier this month after being hospitalised in the intensive care unit at Canberra Hospital, battling several health issues.
There has been a subsequent outpouring of support for the popular racing identity, who is on the mend, and in the background, his hard-working team has been pushing forward with their team of horses.
Led by wife Emma Murphy, the Goulburn stable travelled to Bathurst with a big team of eight runners, and connections enjoyed a red-letter day.
Earlier on the program, Murphy teamed with apprentice Molly Bourke, who guided Let Up ($3.90) to an impressive win in the 1200m Maiden Handicap.
Three wide turning for home, the two-year-old Astern gelding stormed home and got the better of $1.70 favourite Denise’s Gal (Deanne Panya) from the Marc and Mitchell Conners yard.
Later on the program, Rileycat ($8) landed the win of the day for Mitchell Bell, with the four-year-old Unite And Conquer mare flashing from last to score an emphatic victory in the 1100m Benchmark 66 Handicap.
Bell was surprised by the result but pleased to help Murphy to a winning double.
“It’s been firm and fast all day, the inside has been favoured, and we were always going to get back, so I thought, oh well, as long as she runs a nice race they’ll be happy,” Bell said.
“To her credit, she put her best foot forward today and rattled home nicely.
“Hopefully he (Pat Murphy) was watching, and it put a smile on his face — onya Patty, good win.”
For Emma Murphy, Rileycat’s win was a well-deserved result that capped off a wonderful day at the races.
“It’s a fantastic result, and geez she motored home,” Murphy said.
“We were just using it like a trial and thought they’d be a bit too slick for her today, but the instructions were to ride her cold and let her hit the line, and she just rattled home.
“It’s great to have her back. She has been working that well at home, and we’ve been really happy with her. She’s bigger and stronger and quite seasoned now, so we were really pleased with that result.
“We’ll now take her home and see where to from here. Pat’s back on the job — he’ll work it out.”
On track, it’s been a good season for the Murphy stable, which has notched 22 winners in 2025/26.
