AS REIBY Rhymer held off her rivals down the home straight at Tyers Park on Tuesday, her Hawkesbury trainer Jason Attard pumped his fist in triumph.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
His reaction was not only due to the fact the seven-year-old mare had notched up the first win of her career, but that she took out the Water Maiden Handicap (1,300 metres) as a $120.70 outsider.
In her 15 prior starts the closest the Dylan Thomas x Sugus’ Song mare had come to a win was 3.95 lengths fifth at Hawkesbury in October, 2017.
Yet Attard admitted he felt his long shot was a chance of springing an upset in a field which included the likes of Bjorn Baker’s Vuni and Gemmahra from the form team of Bathurst trainer Dean Mirfin.
“To be honest yes I did think she could win,” Attard said.
“Her first two runs of her prep she wasn’t quite ready yet, but in this weaker race and just letting her roll out in front like that, that just gave her a nice easy, cruise around and it worked.
“I thought that she could win a race like that today.”
READ MORE: Hewitt enjoys a bumper Memorial Night
READ MORE: A pair of Turnbull stars are ready to resume
READ MORE: McCabe’s mare enjoys success at Cowra
The rain which fell in Bathurst on Monday night meant the track was rated a Soft 5, and while five previous attempts on a similar surface had not impressed, this time it did not bother the mare.
She got away well from the barriers for jockey Winona Costin and then drove to the front of the field. As they turned for home it was Reiby Rhymer who held the lead and while the Noel Mayfield Swift trained Hamish The Swift found the line well, the outsider held on.
Third belonged to Gemmahra. No margins were available at time of publication.
“She’s raced on soft tracks before and didn’t really perform, but that was before we had her and I don’t really know the circumstances,” Attard said. “But great effort today, great ride by Winona, she did a great job with her, did everything I asked.
“She got a pretty good breather between the 800 and 600 I think it was and I thought that should help her. When they were on the turn I saw everyone behind her were off the bridle, so I thought she was a pretty good chance.
“There was one there that was a bit of a threat and finishing off quite nicely, but it was a good result for us.”
