Although he had to be enticed to the Warrnambool carnival, jockey James Winks has come away with victory in the feature sprint at the three-day carnival.
Under a rails hugging ride by Winks, Yesterday’s Songs took out Wednesday’s Listed Wangoom Hcp (1200m).
Sent out a $10 chance, Yesterday’s Songs scored by a length from last year’s winner Royal Island ($14) with Mirage ($11) 1-3/4 lengths away third.
Winks made his way to Warrnambool for the final two days of the meeting for the ride on Yesterday’s Songs and two rides on Thursday.
His association with Yesterday’s Songs part-owner John O’Neill was instrumental in Winks riding at Warrnambool.
“I don’t come down that often,” Winks said.
“A good mate of mine, Johnny O’Neill, has quite a few horses and asked me to ride for him.
“I wouldn’t have come down otherwise but in saying that I have ridden him (Yesterday’s Songs) a few times of late.
“He had been going well enough to get a feed every night but not going well enough to win.”
A year ago, Yesterday’s Songs was contesting stakes races in Adelaide and finished ninth in the Group One Goodwood at Morphettville.
But Winks said the gelding could be his own worst enemy with his behaviour at the start.
However, the Wangoom panned out perfectly for Yesterday’s Songs who was able to settle midfield and take advantage of an inside run.
“There was no reason to come out,” Winks said.
“A couple of winners had gone back in there and it’s pretty much fresh ground being not wet on the day.
“He just needed sting out which he got.”
Mike Moroney’s stable representative Greg Hoysted said the trainer may consider heading to Brisbane for a race during the winter carnival.
“You can get a wet track up there and there might be a race that could suit,” Hoysted said.
“He needs a wet track to show his best. He’s probably just a bit under that elite level and the track brings him up to the mark.”
