Avdulla dominates with four-timer at Farm
On target for a career-best season, Brenton Avdulla has strengthened his claims for the Sydney jockeys’ premiership with four winners at Warwick Farm.
The 25-year-old set a personal benchmark of 59 city winners last season and before Christmas he has already booted home 39 after Wednesday’s meeting.
The haul took Avdulla seven clear of Tim Clark in the metropolitan riders’ ranks and four clear of Josh Parr in the NSW standings.
Despite his lead in both premierships, Avdulla insisted he was not worrying about numbers at this stage.
“I’m just trying to stay consistent,” Avdulla said.
“I’ve had plenty of meetings over the last month or so where I’ve been just getting the one winner here and there and not going home with a three, four or five-bagger like Timmy Clark or Joshy Parr.”
Avdulla kicked off the day on a winning note aboard the Chris Waller-trained Oklahoma Girl who was sent out the $3.30 favourite and prevailed over stablemate Name Of The Rose ($7) with Emperor’s Way ($15) third in the Tab Maiden Handicap (1600m).
A narrow win on the Joe Pride-trained Good Time Charlie ($3.30 favourite) in the Hyland Race Colours Maiden Handicap (1300m) avoided landing him in hot water with stewards who questioned whether he rode the horse out to the line.
While conceding he wasn’t going 100 per cent, Avdulla said he was following the rules to stop riding if the horse was shifting in or out.
“All’s well that ends well. It is fortunate that you got the bob in,” deputy chairman of stewards Philip Dingwall said.
Avdulla brought up his third winner on the Bjorn Baker-trained Sangiovese, the $3 favourite, who got home a three-quarters of a length quicker than the unlucky Machine Gun Jubs ($3.10) in #TheRaces Handicap (1000m).
While Machine Gun Jubs was squeezed for room at the start and snagged back to last, everything went right for Avdulla who sat behind the leader with cover and unleashed in the straight.
Little Miss Brown ($6.50) completed the four-timer, giving Pride a double in the process as she came from last to win the Australian Turf Club Handicap (1600m).
She held out Kingsguard ($9.50) by a half neck with Princess Aria ($14) a short neck away third.
“Putting the best jockey on today helps. Brenton did a great job,” Pride said.
“He rides particularly well here at Warwick Farm.”