Apprentice jockey Beau Mertens has broken through for his first metropolitan success with an easy win at Sandown.
Mertens, the son of retired Group One winning jockey Peter, guided Aurum Spirit to victory in the Ladbrokes Live Play Handicap on Wednesday.
Aurum Spirit is trained by Robbie Griffiths who rode against Peter Mertens before the pair joined forces to become a successful trainer-jockey combination.
One of the first to congratulate Griffiths on Aurum Spirit’s win was Mertens.
“I just had Pete on the phone,” Griffiths said.
“Pete rode a lot of winners for the stable and was fantastic for us for many years, but I just said to him there’s a new and improved model.”
Beginning his career in 2014, Beau Mertens has been riding for 18 months and has ridden 68 winners.
He said he had been riding in the city area for around a month and had competed in approximately 20 metropolitan races.
Mertens said he appreciated the opportunity from Griffiths.
“He’s given me a few rides now and that’s my first win in town, so I’m more than thankful,” Mertens said.
“Dad had a fair amount of luck for him and hopefully I can too.”
Aurum Spirit ($21) scored by 2-1/4 lengths from Iron Spider ($3.20 fav) with Mr Wonderful ($14) a head away third.
