JOCKEY Faye McManoman has wasted no time in building on the milestone of riding 100 winners for North Yorkshire trainer Nigel Tinkler.
McManoman hit the century for the in-form Tinkler yard at Redcar yesterday on El Floridita and declared: “Here’s to the next 100!”
And she swiftly made it 101 today when Rousham flew up the stand rail to win the Racing TV Profits Returned To Racing Handicap at 16-1 from Thornaby Annie.
"He's been a bit quirky, so we've had to work on him, but it's paid off," said Faye. "The rail's your friend out there and he's lengthened nicely. Hopefully, he'll learn a bit more from today."
Tinkler made it a double in the last race, the Watch Race Replays On Racing TV Amateur Jockeys' Handicap, when Andalprofit gave Tilly Evans a fourth career win.
Tilly may have a long way to go to catch up with Faye but the smile was just as bright in the Redcar sunshine.
The young rider obeyed Tinkler’s instructions to come up the far rail and the plan worked a treat, with Andalprofit holding off strong-finishing favourite Bayraat.
"He's a nervous horse and likes to race alone but he tries his heart out," said Tilly.
Tinkler was full of praise for the ride: " The plan was to go up that far rail, because the horse has won here before doing that. and she's pulled it off brilliantly," he said.
The seven-race meeting got underway with Freedom Flame and PJ McDonald burning off the opposition in the racingtv.com EBF Restricted Maiden Fillies’ Stakes for Lambourn trainer Richard Hughes.
"There are bigger targets for her now," said McDonald. "Richard fancied her today – he couldn't believe she got beat last time. She's got a good turn of foot but when she put her nose in front, she'd done enough. She's a ball of fire and the key is conserving her energy."
There was a promising run by Cheeky Chesca for Tim Easterby to be a neck second in the Reality Partnerships colours, with Karl Burke's debutante Nour three-quarters of a length back in third.
Hoseki, trained at Newmarket by William Haggas and ridden by Cieren Fallon, overcame greenness to win the Watch Irish Racing On Racing TV Restricted Maiden Stakes, denying PJ McDonald a double on Cape Fear.
"She's still a big baby and there's a lot more to come," said the winning jockey, who suggested the daughter of Saxon Warrior will stay further.
Gaelic Approach, trained at Middleham by Charlie Johnston and ridden by Connor Beasley, easily won the battle of Middleham Park Racing by outgunning Wicksy in the Celebrate The Life of Joe Newton Handicap.
The imposing Masar gelding looks a typical Johnston horse, and clearly relished the step up to 1m 6f to grind it out in good style.
Beasley said: "We just kept it nice and simple. I gave him a breather down the back straight and when I went up the gears, he hit the line really strongly."
There were plenty of members of Middleham Park Racing enjoying the Redcar sunshine to cheer in the winner.
Just three horses went to post, with Tim Easterby's Fairydale making up the numbers.
Classic Encounter, trained by George Boughey, justified favouritism in the Join Racing TV Now Handicap with Pat Cosgrave switching to the stand rails and proving too strong for market rival Desert Shadow.
"He's come down in grade, on a track where he's won before, and he doesn't mind fast ground," said Cosgrave. "George's horses are flying and, hopefully, this horse is hitting top gear now."
There was consolation for a lifelong Boro fan when Crocus Time and apprentice jockey Jack Nicholls won the Watch Racing TV In Stunning HD Fillies' Handicap for Middlesbrough trainer Ron Barr.
Owner Doug Thomson has been a Boro season ticketholder for 60 years and was gutted by the 'Spygate' play-off final defeat to Hull.
"This helps make up for it," said Doug, a retired ICI chemist.
The trainer's grandchildren – Flynn, Ida, Cooper, and Luca – are also Boro fans, with Flynn and Cooper among the crowd at Wembley.
"I wasn't able to speak when we lost but winning the race has made it a bit better," said Cooper before the children took part in the trophy presentation.
