Apprentice Tim Bell showed his toughness when he climbed off the Eagle Farm turf to guide consistent filly Shezamyth to an overdue win today.
The NSW country champion apprentice and fellow rider Jason Taylor crashed to the ground near the 250m in the second race but both walked back to the enclosure unhurt.
Bell twisted his ankle in the fall then rode through the pain barrier to notch an impressive win on Shezamyth in the $50,000 Kevin Best Memorial Plate (1400m).
Shezamyth had finished runner-up at her previous four runs and winning trainer Barry Baldwin said the filly had tested his reserves.
“She’s been very frustrating. She finally did today what she should have done ages ago,” Baldwin said.
Bell was glowing in his post race assessment of Shezamyth and said the General Nediym filly had plenty of class.
“When the going gets tough the tough get going,” Bell said.
“I wanted to ride this filly after I fell and I’m happy I did because she gave me the feel of a good horse.
“She really let down in the straight and she could have won by another two lengths had I wanted to.
“She’s well up to winning a nice race during the carnival.”
Andrew Spinks accepted blame for the fall and pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding.
Stewards acknowledged his guilty plea and suspended him for three weeks.
AAP TURF
