Reaching a tally of 80 winners and therefore outriding their allowance is a goal of apprentice jockeys, and Kath Bell-Pitomac achieved this feat before a big crowd on Saturday at Coonamble.
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She did so when winning the opening event on the Kieren Hazleton, Gilgandra trained Streets Of Suemori.
From now on Bell-Pitomac will compete on level terms with the senior jockeys, a fine achievement by the 37-year-old mature age apprentice who with her husband, fellow jockey Daniel Pitomac, raises two children at Wellington.
Out of action for almost 12 months after suffering serious injuries in a race fall at Tamworth in March 2019, Bell-Pitomac has since been riding in great form and produced a typically good exhibition at Coonamble in the 1100 metres Pioneer Seeds Maiden Plate.
Cheered on by a big group of owners, Streets Of Suemori ($1.65 favourite) travelled smoothly near the lead then raced to a two lengths win from Local Belle (Jake Pracey-Holmes, $17) and Walbundrie (Chelsea Ings, $12).
Racing has many twists and turns and in the following race, Bell- Pitomac was dislodged when her mount, the Kieren Hazleton trained General Partner, was involved in a scrimmage over the closing stages.
She appeared to escape serious injury, but on medical advice was stood down from her remaining rides at the meeting.
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Bred and owned by Michael Kennedy and Libby Kennedy from Come By Chance with Caroline Smith from the Gold Coast, the Ian Holland, Coonamble trained Glover was a popular winner of the 2000 metres QUBE Agri Class 1 and Maiden Plate.
Ridden by Dubbo jockey Ken Dunbar, Glover ($4.40 equal favourite) came from midfield to score a strong win over equal favourite Accellar Raider (Clayton Gallagher) and Dizzy Dylan (Daniel Northey, $11).
A daring ride by Pracey-Holmes was instrumental in the Jacob Perrett, Tamworth trained Mock Song scoring an upset win in the 1100 metres Halcroft and Bennett, Benchmark 50 Handicap.
Leading by four lengths turning for home, Mock Song ($31) lasted to win by a head from Billy Bent Ear (Billy Cray, $3.50 favourite) with Bella (Ings, $18) in third place.
In the 1600 metres Nutrien Ag Solutions Benchmark 50 Handicap, the Sharon Jeffries, Parkes trained Coulpa (Aaron Sweeney, $8) took the lead from Penny's Bonita's then fought on well to beat Naoko (Rasit Yetimova, $19) and Pittsburgh (Casey Waddell, $5.50).
Gaining a late rails run, the Wayne Martyn, Coonabarabran trained Hayley's Lightning (Vad Bolozhinskyi, $21) came from off the pace to beat Flashlin (Andrew Banks, $18) by a long head with The Codster (Ings, $31) a close third in the 1400 metres Woodhams Petroleum Maiden Handicap.
Well handled by Banks, the Leo Harland, Gilgandra trained Patrick May ($3 favourite) made it three wins from 11 starts when coming from fourth on the home turn to account for Get Up Alby (Pracey-Holmes, $19) and On A Promise (Tony Cavallo, $4) in the 1300 metres Swanny's Foods Class 2 Handicap.
The Mudgee Cup meeting is on Friday followed by a Dubbo meeting on Tuesday, December 8.
