Jockey Tim Bell’s black type treble at Eagle Farm has reignited his ambition to take aim at this season’s Brisbane premiership.
A week ago Bell had only a slim chance of catching Michael Cahill but his burst of form to ride five metropolitan winners in a week has taken him to 44, just seven behind.
His wins have included four stakes victories, the biggest on Tinto in Saturday’s Group One Queensland Oaks. He also rode Sir Moments to win the Queensland Guineas and Sacred Star the QTC Cup, a week after he steered Angel of Mercy to win the Lord Mayor’s Cup.
Cahill has not ridden a city winner in the past four meetings to be anchored on 51.
Bel1 has made it clear he wants to be not only Brisbane’s top jockey but also the best in the country.
The 21-year-old has been earmarked as a potential elite jockey since his early days as an apprentice with Sue Grills at Tamworth.
He was the youngest jockey to ride four winners in a day on a Brisbane racetrack in January 2010.
It hasn’t always been smooth sailing for Bell who had a brief stint as Patinack Farm’s number one Brisbane rider. But hard work and a change of attitude has Bell reaching for stardom.
“I want to be one of the best but I have still got a way to go,” Bell said.
“I now realise the only way to do that is to really work hard.”
“I couldn’t crack it in Melbourne last time but I learned a lot.”
Statistics show that Bell is doing just that.
He has had 829 rides this year and has ridden 107 winners Australia-wide.
He puts his success down to planning as well as hard work and he went to Saturday’s Oaks with three plans up his sleeve.
“I wanted to sit on Blake Shinn on the favourite Arabian Gold and I wanted to have three options depending how things panned out,” he said.
Bell’s parents Grant and Kelley were at Eagle Farm to see his treble on Saturday and the young rider paid tribute to them.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today without them,” he said.
“I know everyone says that but they have been a wonderful support.”
