MERLE Clarke was one happy trainer on the way home from Kennerson Park on Monday afternoon, with her two-year-old dog Jockey George making the 600 kilometre round trip to Gilgandra worth it.
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The $11.30 hopeful jumped from box one of the Ladbrokes Cash In Maiden Stakes (370 metres) and had to work hard to fight for the front ahead of Arrogant Stella ($16.30) in the back straight.
Arrogant Stella eventually dropped off the pace as the pack headed into the home turn, giving Jockey George breathing space to race home to a comfortable seven and a quarter length win.
Clarke was delighted to see Jockey George claim his first career win.
“He’s had three misadventures before this,” she said.
“I’m certainly happy about the win. He’s a good dog and we thought he’d win before this.
“His named Jockey George, christened by the owner [Jeffrey Simms]. He’ll be very excited, he’s only a young fella. Let hopes he stays in the sport.”
It was also a massive trip for Clarke, being based in Gilgandra.
The trip, according to Google Maps, is roughly 300 kilometres each way, so understandably Clarke is unable to get to Kennerson Park often.
“We don’t get down here often but today’s the day. We decided to come again and we got a win,” she said.
However, she’s planning to race Jockey George a bit closer to home next time round.
“He’ll possibly go to the Dubbo, so the owner can see him race,” she said.
She believes Jockey George has plenty more to give.
“He’s a very easy dog to train and he’s got a lot ability,” she said.
“I don’t think we’ve seen the best of him yet.”
Jockey George’s three previous starts at yielded a fifth (at Coonamble), eighth (Tamworth) and fourth (Maitland).
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