Rolls and Bell double up at Eagle Farm
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Luke Rolls picks up his first win of two aboard Honour Happy List
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While jockey Justin Stanley and apprentice Emily Kehoe were involved in a fall at the Gold Coast on Saturday, January 16 where they both luckily escaped serious injury, two apprentice jockeys had a successful day out at Eagle Farm.
Bundall-based apprentice Luke Rolls kicked off the apprentice’s run when be booted home the Steven O’Dea-trained Honour Happy List (M7 Honour And Glory USA-Hate to Lose) in the $50,000 Sky Racing International Open Handicap 2100m.
Rolls maintained a rails run from barrier two, sat fourth on the fence before they got the gap at the turn and had the run to post the win.
“I was definitely confident today,” said Rolls. “It was a really good run last Saturday. She probably just needed the run, and probably a bit further distance and today she got it and really finished it off.
“It takes a few runs under her belt to come right.”
Rolls said he enjoyed the opportunity to ride in a staying race. “It gives you a bit more time to think and I like it.”
He displayed his versatility though when the distance was halved to bring the Trevor Bailey-trained Moonan Kathleen (M5 Afleetaffair CAN-Perfect Affair) home to a long neck victory in the Sky Racing Star Stable NMW Handicap 1000m.
Again hugging the rail, Rolls searched for the gaps at the turn and when they got one, the young hoop urged her forward and she snuck in front with just metres to go.
Tamworth apprentice Timothy Bell paired up with his trainer Sue Grills to post an impressive winning double.
Firstly he steered Dealers (G6 Viscount-Many Hands) to victory in the Sky Sports Radio 4YO & Up Class 6 Handicap 1200m. They slowly picked up the field and when Bell told him to go, the horse tried hard and only just got to the line in time.
He beat the race favourite Leapfrog (Stathi Katsidis) by a long head.
“At first, when I was so far back, I was a little bit nervous to tell the truth, with the horse always being up there on the pace. He was travelling well enough to be there,” said Bell.
After jumping from barrier 11, the 3kg claiming apprentice said he never gave travelling so wide a second thought, although it had Grills worried. “I never really thought about it,” he said. “Once I was there wide, I thought I’m stuck with this so I may as well help him out and try and travel him.
“Once he got around the corner I didn’t think he was going to find as much as he did but he’s a very nice little tough horse.
“Any horse with 3kg off its back is always going to be running home that last run with an edge.
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Tamworth apprentice Tim Bell (Noel Pascoe photos)
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“I was a bit nervous I wasn’t going to get there.”
Aboard Ollie Vollie (G7 Belong to Me USA-Lockley’s Dance) in the last race, the Skyracing.com.au Open Handicap1200m, Bell sat inside the field before he dashed up through the leaders pack and sprinted away in the straight.
They posted a length and a quarter victory completing the double for Bell and Grills.
These wins brought Bell’s total triumphs this season to 50, which he has picked up at 21 different tracks in Queensland and New South Wales.
“Who said there’s no money in travelling?” joked the youngster, who is passionate about what he does and his achievements.
“It’s keeping the dream alive,” he said.
QUEENSLAND Racing web news: Hollie Roberts – January 19
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