He came to the Illawarra Turf Club with a slender advantage in the Kembla jockeys premiership, but leading hoop Jeff Penza left the track with a tight grip on the title.
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A meeting after riding a treble at Kembla Grange, Penza combined with John O’Shea and the Godolphin juggernaut for a winning double on Saturday.
The leading provincial hoop piloted Soiree (race three) and Newrud (race six) to victories.
The double extended his advantage to five winners over Chad Lever, who didn’t ride at Saturday’s meeting.
Soiree was by far the more impressive of the two.
The filly sat outside the lead before storming away to win the Nix Automotive Maiden Handicap (1200m) by 3-¼ lengths over Gerald Ryan trained Zo Easy, with Jason Coyle’s Polaset third.
“It was a really good win,” Penza said.
At the top of the straight she just put them away really quick
- Jeff Penza on Soiree
“She has obviously come back in good order. I rode her last prep at her only start and she seemed a little bit one paced.
“This time she jumped well with the blinkers on and travelled really well. At the top of the straight she just put them away really quick and was strong to the line.”
Penza doubled his tally when Nemrud held off Chris Waller’s Monasterio to win the Bloorrail Benchmark 65 Handicap (1600m).
