Somebody’s path to victory in the Dubbo Cup Day Showcase Flying Handicap (1100m) all started with a phone call three months ago.
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The Bathurst-based father-and-son training duo of Don and Andrew Ryan got in touch with Dubbo Turf Club management to find out when the feature sprint would be run.
From then on everything they did with the five-year-old mare was done with the $40,000 event in mind.
And it all paid off on Sunday when Eleanor Webster-Hawes piloted the $4.80 favourite to a classy victory.
Don wasn’t on hand to accept the award but Steven, one of his other sons who he works with as part of Ryan Bloodstock, was and he said he and his team gained massive satisfaction from the win.
“This race has given us a special thrill,” he said.
“The filly loves this track and it was about three months ago we called here and asked if this race was on the calendar so then we put her away and then Andy and Dad freshened her up.
“I can’t say there’s anything we could have done to have her in better order and I thought it was an exemplary ride from El.”
The winning jockey was also delighted, having worked with the Ryans so much in recent times.
It was a memorable day for Webster-Hawes, who doesn’t ride as often as other jockeys due to the fact she also studies, as the Cowra-based hoop finished with a double.
“It’s fantastic. They’ve been really good to me so to get a winner for them means a lot,” she said.
“When she got to the top of the straight she started to walk to the tents (on the outside of the track) a bit and that was the only concern.
“When once she got focused again she dug in and got tho the line really strong.”
The jockey had a tricky draw to overcome in what was a strong field and Webster-Hawes was forced to settle deep early on while One Last Poet ($51) and Snippety Sip ($15) led the way.
Webster-Hawes still had plenty to do as the field rounded the bend for her but she peeled wider to get Somebody into contention.
She worked forward well and then Somebody stormed home in the last 200m to win from Escebee ($10) and Peter Nestor’s Danish Lace ($5).
Having raced at at Sydney multiple times in the past, Webster-Hawes had no doubt the mare could go there again.
Sunday’s win was the sixth of Somebody’s 15-start career and fourth victory at Dubbo Turf Club.
“Honesty, if we could race here every week we would,” Steven Ryan said.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
