Linda Meech has celebrated her first Victorian jockeys’ premiership, riding a treble at the opening metropolitan meeting of the new season at The Valley on Saturday.
Despite a stint on the sidelines with a broken collarbone, Meech collected 139 wins last season on Victorian tracks to claim the title from John Allen and Jye McNeil.
Meech’s third winner of the day came aboard Inverloch in a well-judged front-running ride in the 2040m Dynamic Print Group Open Handicap.
Despite her early lead in the metropolitan jockeys’ premiership, Meech is keeping her feet firmly planted on the ground.
“I’ve been a bit lucky really,” Meech said.
“Two of them were pick-up rides but I suppose if you’re riding in town you take advantage of getting those rides.
Natalie Young, who trains in partnership with Trent Busuttin, was surprised at the easy time Meech had in front aboard Inverloch ($15) before racing to a three-length win.
A French-bred import, Inverloch is starting to show the promise that encouraged OTI Racing to bring the now six-year-old to Australia.
Inverloch spent 18 months out of racing after injuring a tendon before his Australian debut.
Young said the gelding required a lot of work to get him back to fitness and has now won three of his five starts.
“He’s a big, burly, Fastnet Rock and it was getting him conditioned and making sure when we were going to crank him up he would be fit enough to take it,” Young said.
“And we’ve changed his work up a bit differently lately.
“Some of these European horses take a couple of preps when they first come out here and that’s what you have to do, tip them out when they’re telling you they’re not responding and then bring them back in.”
We are looking forward to seeing Inverloch continue to progress through the grades as he reaches his peak fitness this preparation. To view his race results and replay, please CLICK HERE.
Also in Europe over the weekend, 3yo Camelot filly Camphor ran a gallant second place for Jessica Harrington in Ireland in the Guinness Handicap at Galway. The 120,000 Euro feature race on day five of the festival drew a strong handicap field and Harrington was impressed with the filly’s performance on the tough track.
Camphor will now head to a Listed or Group 3 contest in the coming weeks for her partners.
Camphor running second to Mr Adjudicator (Camphor’s jockey Shane Foley wears the green and red silks)
