Tim Bell signalled he is determined to regain his metropolitan jockeys title with a winning double on the final day of the racing season on Wednesday.
Bell, 22, went into the season as champion jockey but surrendered that title to Jim Byrne who took the premiership clearly with 71 winners.
However, Bell rode a double on Wednesday which took him to 57 metropolitan winners and equal second place with Luke Tarrant.
It has been far from a disappointing year for Bell who finished the season with 112 winners on all tracks including a winner in Singapore last Sunday.
Bell’s win on Lim’s Sprint in Singapore was one of seven rides he had at the Asian centre.
“Hopefully, it will lead to more international chances. It is something all jockeys want,” Bell said.
Bell won on Comic Story ($2.40) and News Editor ($2.60) at the Sunshine Coast.
Trainer Stuart Kendrick is predicting a bright future for News Editor who is a half brother to smart mare Anna Lizzie.
“We took the blinkers off him and I got Tim to ride him a bit closer. I would like to get him out a bit further than the 1600m today and we might get a good race out of him later,” Kendrick said.
Kendrick had reason to celebrate as he won the Sunshine Coast premiership for the second time and finished seventh in the metropolitan title.
Trainer Kelso Wood predicted a big future for apprentice Alannah Fancourt after she won on Got Ya Covered ($6.50) in the Pryde’s Hcp.
“That was her first ride for me but I have been watching her and she has plenty of ability,” Wood said.
Meanwhile, trainer Chris Anderson continued his good run with the Patinack syndicate with More Energy ($2.40) in the Spire Law Hcp (1800m).
“We might have ridden him a bit close when he was beaten at 2200m at his previous start. Glen (Colless) let him settle today and he can really sprint.”
“I will probably keep him to the 1800m-2000m range at the moment,” Anderson said.
He said it was great to train such a well bred horse as More Energy who from top sire Fastnet Rock out of the multiple Group race winning mare Perfect Promise.
Trainer Liam Birchley continued his run of success with former kiwi gallopers when Beckham ($5) won the Sea Vista Developments Hcp.
“I haven’t had him very long from New Zealand and it has taken us a while to work him out,” Birchley said.
“He got beaten at Grafton first up but the track might have been a bit firm for him.”
