APPRENTICE jockey Aaron Mitchell displayed a polished riding style and a fearless attitude to land Ladramahs a winner in the $15,000 Camperdown Cup at Camperdown on Saturday.
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Mitchell, the grandson of champion Perth trainer Wally Mitchell, is on loan to Mornington trainer Pat Carey for three months and rode two other winners at the once-a-year race meeting.
The 17-year-old said he was worried after Ladramahs missed the start by three lengths in the 1600-metre race before going on to beat Mister Moneypenny by a head, with Hot Spin in third place.
“It was the first time that I’ve ridden Ladramahs. I started to panic when we missed the start,” Mitchell said.
‘‘We were running second last for the early part of the race.
‘‘I decided the only way to win was to try and save ground on the inside
“I got a good run through the field as a couple of splits opened up mid-race.
‘‘I was not sure if I had won or not as the other horse was out wider on the track.
‘‘It was a relief to know I had won.”
The winning treble took Mitchell’s tally of winners to 40 including some at provincial and rural tracks in Western Australia.
“It’s my first treble,” Mitchell said.
‘‘It’s a great result for me as I’m trying to get known in Victoria.
‘‘I’ve found riding over here is a lot busier than riding in Western Australia.
‘‘I’m riding trackwork at Mornington and then going to various places like Camperdown to get a few rides.
“It’s all a great experience being over here.
‘‘I’ve learnt so much within a few weeks.
‘‘It’s seven days a week racing over here.
‘‘There is always something to do whether it’s riding trackwork or riding in races.”
Mornington trainer Shane Nicholls, who trains Ladramahs, said he was impressed by Mitchell’s ride in the feature on the seven-race program.
“I thought Aaron rode Ladramahs very well,” Nicholls said.
‘‘He never panicked when he missed the start.
‘‘He just allowed the horse to find his feet and work his way into the race.
‘‘Aaron is very professional in the way he’s going about his work down at Mornington
“We’ll probably give Ladramahs one or two more runs before giving him a break and setting for some winter races.
‘‘Ladramahs has won five races but it could have been as many as eight or nine if he had a bit more luck in his races.”
Mitchell’s other winners were Prussian Reign, trained by Wez Hunter, in a maiden over 1000 metres and Intreeg, trained by Brendan McCarthy, in a benchmark 64 handicap over 1000 metres.
Veterinarians euthanised the Peter Young-trained Darwin George on humane grounds after race six, a 0-58 handicap over 1600 metres.
Jockey Jack Hill retired the gelding approaching the home turn after he sustained an injury to the off fore leg.