By Gavin Stubbs
In a performance that belied her years, claiming jockey Caitlin King put on a master class riding display at Woolamai picnic races on Saturday to land three winners for the afternoon.
Under sunny skies, in what was the first meeting of the season at Woolamai, Pakenham trainer Ron Stephens had little concern as his horse Frankincense scored comfortably in the opening race.
Race two saw King strike her first blow aboard Tickaloy. Positioned on the pace throughout, the Moe-trained four-year-old proved too strong for rivals and won with something in reserve.
Race three went to Barry Goodwin’s five-year-old mare Timely Girl.
The fourth race on the card saw the 21-year-old King chalk up a double aboard Don’t Forget Tiny.
Trained by Christopher Diplock at Pakenham, the gelding was rated perfectly in the lead and in a driving finish clung on to score by the narrowest of margins.
The result denied Mornington trainer Rebecca Waymouth her first victory of the season at Woolamai with her six-year-old Three Handles. However, strong numbers and sheer consistency with their horses should see multiple wins for the Waymouth stable on the picnic circuit this season.
Race five looked on paper a competitive affair and it played to expectations. With several runners challenging on the point of the home corner, it was left to recent provincial winner Maldonado to break up the field.
The Cranbourne trained six year old swept past the others upon straightening up for the run home and looked all over a winner, however jockey Reece Goodwin had other ideas. The Cranbourne-based rider weaved a passage through the field on nine-year-old year gelding The Sands and pounced with 80 metres left to go to score by two lengths.
As storm clouds gathered on the horizon, the final event of the programme saw a run of firsts, with Captain Cupboard chalking up win number one. Moe trainer Ebony Tucker also scored her maiden victory as a trainer and was clearly delighted to land the spoils. The race also saw King bring up a winning treble.
When asked what the day meant to her, King simply described it as an “unbelievable feeling.”
She was also keen to point out the support she received from several Pakenham and Moe trainers which contributed greatly to her results.
Woolamai Race Club secretary Bev Carmichael was delighted with the opening to the season.
“It’s terrific to have such a successful start to the season, people have enjoyed themselves and crowd numbers were again excellent,” Carmichael said.
“Both visitors to the area and the Bass Coast community continue to support our meetings and we look forward to the next race day on Sunday 7 January.”
