The Illawarra Turf Club’s reigning champion jockey piloted yet another winning double in front of a healthy crowd. 

Penza booted home odds-on favourite Zither (race two) for trainer David Pfieffer before producing a patient ride to salute on John Sargent trained Shine Tak Star (race five).

Shine Tak Star had finished mid-field in a Group 1 Queensland Derby had his last start in June and Penza rode him like the best horse in the race as he weaved a passage to victory. Shine Tak Star beat Paul Murray’s Viva Lavino by a length, with Chris Waller’s Liffy in third.

“He relaxed back in the field and I needed a bit of luck in the straight back to the inside but he finished off nicely,” Penza said.

“He is a horse that can do a bit wrong but he has taken his time to grow up which has taken forever.”