In February, Jamie Edwards underwent surgery for a broken back when he was speared into the ground after the horse he was riding during trackwork broke its leg.
On Saturday, the Geelong trainer was holding back tears of joy after Sertorius won the last staying race of the spring carnival – the Group Two Zipping Classic at Caulfield.
Sertorius winning the Group 2 Zipping Classic - Photo by Steven Dowden
Edwards suffered three broken vertebrae in the fall but he was only looking ahead after the biggest win of his training career since he teamed up with Bruce Elkington about six years ago.
“We have had a tough time the last 12 months but this has topped it off really good,” said Edwards.
It was a ride timed to perfection by jockey Ryan Maloney who was content to let the Gai Waterhouse-trained Queenstown ($5.50) set the pace as he sat back midfield.
But at the turn of the 2400-metre race, Maloney moved up a gear with Sertorius ($3.70), steering him along the rails as Epingle ($12) tried to stay with him.
Maloney was waving his whip with delight as he passed the post two lengths ahead of Epingle with Queenstown third.
“You will not get a better ride than that – that was a ripper of a ride,” said Edwards.
Maloney, who this time last year was riding at the Dunkeld Cup meeting, said it was the biggest test so far for the Bendigo Cup winner.
“They keep raising the bar and he keeps answering the challenge,” said Maloney.
Elkington said that when training partnership was formed he knew there could only be one captain – Edwards.
“I worked for my father Megs for 30 years and we had quite a few disagreements but (Jamie and I) have a good working relationship,” said Elkington.
“Jamie makes most of the decisions and I’m just so glad for this horse, the stable and owners.”
He said Sertorious, which cost $100,000 as a yearling, will now be saved for the rich Sydney autumn carnival.
