Tim Bell showed he had no intention of giving up his jockeys’ premiership title without a fight when he rode a treble at Ipswich on Wednesday.
Bell won on Flautino ($4.20), Pasquinel ($5) and Athena Fire ($7) with the rides showing the jockey’s skill range.
The treble took him to 46 winners for the season, six behind new premiership leader Jim Byrne.
Bell is bouyed by the fact he was 10 wins behind Michael Cahill at a similar stage last year before rushing home in the final two months to win the premiership.
“There is a long way to go and plenty of meetings yet,” said Bell.
Pasquinel got the run of the race just behind the pace before pouncing on the leaders at the top of the straight.
“While Pasquinel was down in class today but it was still a top ride from Tim,” said winning trainer Steve O’Dea.
Athena Fire was caught four deep for much of the race but Bell didn’t panic, keeping the Matt Dunn-trained mare balanced before scoring a close win.
The Tony Gollan-trained Flautino came from near last at 600m with a well-timed run to swamp her rivals.
Flautino, who is raced in similar interests to Spirit Of Boom and Temple Of Boom, was the first leg of a treble for Gollan who was an unbeatable lead in the trainers’ premiership with 68 winners.
Byrne won the second leg of the Gollan double on the favourite Stella Di Notte ($2.80) but had to survive a protest from second paced Shadow Lawn.
The win took Byrne to the outright lead in the jockeys’ title with 52 wins, one ahead of apprentice Luke Tarrant.
Gollan’s third winner Heart Of A Warrior was having only his third start but gave Ryan Wiggins an armchair ride.
