Greg Ryan completed a winning treble when taking out a strong Darewell Don Mulrooney Cup Day Sprint (1100m) at Coonabarabran on Sunday.
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After two wins early in the day the champion jockey produced a fine ride on the Sue Grills-trained Under The Thumb to win the day's feature sprint in front of a huge crowd on Coonabarabran Cup day.
Ryan had plenty to do as the field entered the straight as the frontrunners had set a rapid pace and jostled for the lead but he found the narrowest of gaps with Under The Thumb and made his move.
The $3.90 favourite went on to win by one length from the fast-finishing Molasses ($9) while Over And Above ($7.50) was third.
"It suited him, all that speed and that's what he really likes," Grills told Sky Thoroughbred Central .
"He gets back and relax and he hits the line so well. It was really good."
While Under The Thumb jumped favourite the sprint was an open affair, with the likes of Westlink ($6.50), Kenny Succeed ($7.50), and Our Dasha ($12) adding real class to the event.
Kenny Succeed bolted out of the gates and quickly took control as a leading group of five quickly distanced themselves from the rest of the field.
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Things began to bunch again as the turn for home approached, with the likes of Under The Thumb and Westlink starting to wind up.
The Darren Hyde-trained Westlink failed to find a run but Ryan took his chance, darting through and quickly taking control.
Molasses threatened to chase him down but his eye-catching finish wasn't enough as Grills' seven-year-old gelding made it seven wins from 37 starts.
The win for Grills was just part of a hugely successful outing for Tamworth trainers at Coonabarabran.
Cody Morgan took out the first with Derby Star ($1.75 favourite) and Miss Kokkinakis ($20) won the next for Colin Dixon.
Armidale trainer Stirling Osland was also among the winners, with Cos I'm Good ($1.80) taking out the Regional Australia Bank and Ausure Maiden Handicap (1200m).
Cos I'm Good has been a bit of a work in progress for Osland as things didn't go to plan in his first preparation but the first win came on Sunday in career start number 10.
"We thought it was a nice race for him," Osland said.
"It's good to get him ticked off and we can work off that and hopefully but something together."
The day's main event, the $75,000 cup, was won by the Peter Sinclair-trained Free Billy.
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.
