Carr keeps race alive
THE thoroughbred meeting in Devonport last Sunday had the potential to determine the winner if this season’s jockeys’ premiership and after two races that appeared to be the case.
Apprentice Codi Jordan went into the meeting leading arch rival Siggy Carr by six wins and after she landed a treble the title looked out of reach for Carr.
But not to be denied, Carr rode the last two winners on the eight-race card to keep her slim chance of clinching her first senior premiership alive with only two meetings remaining.
“It got to the point where I started to think about the premiership but as soon as I decided to take the attitude of what will be will be, it (winning the premiership) stopped being the focus,” Jordan said.
“If Siggy (Carr) can overtake me then she definitely deserves the title, but of course I would love it to be me.”
Jordan’s winners were Gaudy Girl and Ubriaco for her master Glenn Stevenson, and she also partnered the Rowan Hamer-trained Eight Margaritas to an overdue win in the Kevin Sharkie maiden over 1650m.
Gaudy Girl was having her first start in the state and made quite an impression as she missed the start by a length to settle last in the Birdcage Tavern Maiden (1009m) but made a searching run to overpower her rivals over the concluding stages to score easily.
Stevenson said the mare was purchased by her King Island-based
owners Ron and Joy Crack, as a potential stayer. “Ron and Joy (Crack) are confident she will get a trip and so am I,” Stevenson said.
“I’ll step her up to 1150m next start and then we might put her over 1350m, but I reckon she will be much better next prep as we step her up in distance.”
Gaudy Girl’s stablemate Ubriaco ($8.50) was very impressive in winning a benchmark 68 handicap over 1350m, coming from midfield to power home and easily defeat Banca Nip ($26) and Barjeel ($21). “I have a bit of an opinion of Ubriaco and if I’m right he could be a Devonport Cup prospect.”
Carr’s wins came aboard the John Blacker-trained mare Port Berry in the Tasmanian Horse Transport Benchmark 62 over 1880m and the Team Wells prepared
Rebel Factor that could end up in Melbourne if co-trainer Trent Wells has his way.
Rebel Factor ($2.15 fav) settled just worse than midfield and one-off with cover in a benchmark 68 handicap over 1009m, while Vetlanda ($8) shared the lead with Bothered ($26). Vetlanda shrugged off Bothered and kicked clear, but when Carr gave Rebel Factor more rein, he hauled the filly in and went
on to defeat her by over two lengths with Sharma Rama doing her best work late to grab third. “Rebel Factor is a smart horse and I reckon he’s good enough to take to Melbourne,” Trent Wells said.
Rebel Factor is owned by Chris and Sharon Wickham, who bred the gelding, which is out of the Wickhams’ former star race mare Rebel Bride.