Apprentice Tim Bell bounced back from the toughest week of his career in grand style when he won the $175,000 Prime Ministers Cup at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Earlier this week Bell was sacked as Patinack Farm stable jockey by billionaire owner Nathan Tinkler but the 20-year-old admitted his wrongs and put the disappointment behind him to guide Celtic Dancer to a narrow win in the Listed feature.
Bell has long been regarded as a young rider with immense potential and he lived up to that reputation with a dashing display to lift Celtic Dancer ($26) to a head win over Mid Summer Music ($3.10).
Phelan Ready ($8) showed his love of the Gold Coast track when he ran on gamely under 59kg to finish another length third.
Bell said he thought Celtic Dancer was a beaten horse after working so hard on the pace and he thanked winning trainer Noel Doyle for his support.
“I was happy to be on the fence because the horse handles the wet track so well and my only concern was that there was one travelling just as well behind me,” Bell said.
“He kicked really strongly on the corner but I thought he was beaten five or six times when the other horse came at me in the straight.
“It’s great to ride a feature winner after the week I’ve had and I am grateful to Mr Doyle and the owners for sticking with me.
“Self praise is no praise and I’ve always said the best way to beat the knockers is to ride winners and I got the job done today.”
Celtic Dancer gave Doyle his second win in the Prime Minister’s Cup after he won the race in 1993 with Spearman when it was run over 2400m.
The experienced horseman was visibly shaken after the win and said Celtic Dancer would now be aimed toward the Stradbroke Handicap in June.
“He has to get a start in the Stradbroke but he’s nominated and I’d love to start him in it,” Doyle said.
“He’s a very genuine little horse and he goes so well for Timmy (Bell).
“It’s been a long time between drinks and it’s a great thrill to win this race again.”
