JOCKEY Harry Coffey’s first win as a senior jockey has fittingly come at home when he rode the Darren Weir-trained Rather Silky to a win in the first race at the Swan Hill Jockey Club on Monday.
Despite the local’s first up win in the first Swan Hill race meet of the new season, jockey Dean Yendall was almost unstoppable with five victories across the day, including the main race, the 2108m Murray Mallee Winter Stayers Series Finals on Weir’s five-year-old mare Firenze.
Despite not being able to bring it home in the same race, Coffey placed second on six-year-old gelding Diamond Duke, running for trainer Paul Preusker, while Swan Hill’s Jane Duncan trained House of Stars came in third spot, 2.75 lengths off the pace.
Locally owned Saturdayonthecouch, trained by Austy Coffey, came in third place in the Hygain Maiden Plate 1208m race, finishing behind Weir’s Manhattan Muse and Love Magic.
Despite only taking home the one winner, Coffey said he was happy with his day aboard.
“My first race of the day was a winner for Darren Weir and it won impressively,” the jockey said after Rather Silky came in top spot by a margin of three lengths.
“Dean Yendall was hard to beat all day, once I won the first race, it was hard to win again as it was his show.
“I had a good consistent day though. I didn’t think much about it, it is always good to get another win, especially at home.”
Swan Hill trainer Con Kelly took out second place in the final event of the day, the BM64 Handicap 1608m.
Six-year-old gelding God’s Shadow finished 4.25 lengths behind winner, Eastern Peak, ridden by Yendall for his last win of the day.
Noel Watson’s five-year-old mare Saint Blackwires got its first win, ridden by Yendall, in The Guardian Maiden Plate 2108m race, finishing ahead of Ask the Price and Steel Caps.
It was not the only time the resident trainer would place on the day, with Warrior Lady placing third under the guidance of local jockey Michelle Hagley.
