Glyn Schofield had only one chance as the replacement jockey on New Day Rising and he made the most of it to steer the gelding to a frontrunning win at Rosehill.
Schofield replaced his son Chad on New Day Rising in Saturday’s Schweppes Handicap (1400m) with the leading apprentice serving a suspension.
Glyn Schofield had only one chance as the replacement jockey on New Day Rising and he made the most of it - Photo by Steve Hart
Trainer Gary Portelli said the senior Schofield was damned if won and damned if he didn’t.
“I told Glyn if he wins, the horse goes up in weight and I have to put Chad back on and if he loses I’m taking you off,” Portelli said.
“I was very happy with the ride.
“We thought if we got the opportunity to lead we should use it and it worked out well.”
New Day Rising ($4.20 fav) assumed the lead early in the race from Sharp Princess ($9) and Schofield controlled the tempo.
The horse lengthened stride in the straight to hold off Tromso ($5.50) by 1-3/4 lengths with Parthian ($5) another half-length third ahead of Sharp Princess.
“When he hit the front he wasn’t going to back off,” Schofield said.
“I knew Tromso had a strong finish so I was aware of him but my bloke was too good.”
Portelli was disappointed when New Day Rising finished eighth in the Group Two Villiers Stakes (1600m) two weeks ago but said it showed he was probably better off in a lower grade.
“Sometimes you can aim too high,” he said.
“You can earn good money in these races rather than picking up three or four thousand for running behind the good horses.
“O’Crikey is a perfect example. He’s won almost $500,000. He’s never won a stakes race but he’s been a great horse for the stable.”
Formerly trained by Gai Waterhouse, New Day Rising was sold by Eduardo Cojuangco privately and ended up in Portelli’s Melbourne stable.
“The idea was just to give him a couple of runs down there in the spring but he was doing well so we decided to bring him up here,” Portelli said.
“There are more of these types of races coming up so that’s probably where we will go.”
New Day Rising has now won two of his six starts for Portelli taking his record to four wins and five placings from 17 starts.
AAP TURF
