Lightweight apprentice jockey Deanne Panya has thrived in difficult conditions for racing, riding a winning double at Randwick.
Panya’s mounts won by a combined 14 lengths when Snappy One took out the Highway Handicap (1400m) and Lie Direct gave nothing else a chance in the 2400m benchmark 74 race on Saturday.
Snappy One’s victory provided bush trainer Jeremy Sylvester with his third Highway win.
It took 200m for Panya to get Snappy One ($10) to the lead but once the horse found the front, he didn’t relinquish it.
He won by five lengths from Explosive Scene ($4.40) with Attainment ($6) three quarters of a length away third.
One of Sylvester’s previous Highway winners Three Sheets – unplaced in another race at Randwick on Saturday – was bought in a $40,000 package deal with Snappy One.
Both were originally purchased by the Hong Kong Jockey Club with Snappy One a $360,000 yearling and Three Sheets costing $250,000.
“Eighteen months later when they were ready to go over they failed the vet examination and I picked them both up,” Sylvester said.
“I syndicated them and got them operated on.”
Snappy One carried 51kg after Panya’s 3kg claim, making it easier to get through the rain-soaked track.
“He loved the light weight,” Panya said.
“Jeremy Sylvester took advantage of my claim and I’m glad he did,” Panya said.
In a sad aftermath to the race, the Matt Dale-trained Linsang collapsed and died of a suspected heart attack.
Panya also led all the way to guide Lie Direct to a nine-length victory.
“Today, because it’s so heavy it makes it hard for the horses behind to catch up and make ground,” Panya said.
