Nugent – who was successful on Island Tiger, Gwenneth and Chas Marlow – was unlucky not to have ridden the last four winners on the eight-race program as a rank outsider ran second for the 20-year-old.

“It’s the first time I’ve ridden a treble,” he said.

“It was an exciting day. With a bit of luck I might have rode the last four winners, but I’ll take three winners any day. I’ve ridden a couple of doubles before, but it’s a thrill to have a treble.”

Nugent is apprenticed to Ciaron Maher at Caulfield and is loving his job.

“I turn up for work at 3.30 am in the morning,” he said.

“I started working at Ciaron’s last last year there were 40 horses in one stabling complex; we’ve now got three barns and 120 horses in work. We’re always busy, which is great. It’s a wonderful experience working for such a big stable. I’m grateful for the support I’ve received from owners and trainers since I began my career.”

Nugent, who has ridden 19 winners, said having a three-month stint riding trackwork for Gai Waterhouse had also helped his career.

JACKIE Henderson hopes she can win back-to-back Roebourne Cups with Boys Getaround Him on July 28.

Boys Getaround Him won the traditional lead-up race to the cup at Roebourne on Saturday, and Henderson is upbeat about his chances for the $70,000 cup.

“It was a good win on Saturday,” the former Brauer College student said.

“He’s going well. I would say he’s going as good as last year. He’s had the three runs from a spell and is ready to run a strong 2200 metres.” Henderson, who bases her stable at Port Hedland, learnt her training skills with Warrnambool’s Symon Wilde, Alan Peterson and Ciaron Maher. She has trained five winners in the north-east of Western Australia this season after leading in 14 winners last year.

“The stable has not had as good as run this season,” she said.

“We’ve got nine horses in work. It’s hard work over here because there’s so much travelling involved in going to race meetings, but I love what I’m doing and I love the lifestyle.”

Henderson will be taking some runners to the feature races at Carnarvon in July and will be back for the Carnarvon Cup on September 15.

VETERAN galloper Plateua Gold took his tally of wins to 12 with victory in a benchmark 70 race at Geelong on Friday.

Plateua Gold, added with the three-kilogram claim for apprentice jockey Mikaela Lawrence, defeated Sasayrul and Deecember in the 1000 metre scamper.

Crossley trainer Quinton Scott said the rising nine-year-old was a difficult horse to place at this stage of his career.

“He’s been a good old campaigner,” Scott said.

“It’s just difficult to find suitable races for him. The claim for Mikaela was the difference for winning or losing. He’s been a great horse for his owners including Jim Jarvis. It’s obvious the best days are behind the horse, but we may be able to sneak another win or two out of him before he’s retired.”

The victory took Plateau Gold’s stake earnings to more than $385,000.

Meanwhile, Scott is excited with the possibility of Last Stand making his jumping debut after a second placing in a highweight flat race at Warrnambool. “The long-term plan for Last Stand is a jumping career,” the popular trainer said.

“His two runs for me on the flat have been excellent with a win and a second placing. We might give him another jumps trial before re looking around for a maiden hurdle.

“He’s a swimmer. I quietly confident with a bit of time he’ll make the grade as a jumper. This season is all about education next year he could develop into a nice jumper.”

Last Stand has won two of his 17 starts.

SYMON Wilde will be chasing wet tracks for his talented sprinter Inn Keeper after his second placing behind Voodoo Lad in the John Monash Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday.

The Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase-winning trainer said Inn Keeper ticked a few boxes with his run in the group 3 race.

“It was a terrific run,” Wilde said. “I thought he may have struggled in the Monash because the track was rated good and he’s better on soft to heavy tracks.

“The other issue was it was his first start at weight-for-age level. His second placing showed he’s up to that class.

“I’ll be looking closely at races in Sydney. I’ve got my fingers crossed we’ll still get some wet tracks down here, but if we’ve got to go to Sydney for wet tracks we’ll be heading up that way.”

Inn Keeper took his stake earnings to more than $200,000 from 10 starts with his second placing in the Monash.

WARRNAMBOOL jockey Jackie Beriman is on the sidelines after a whip indiscretion.

Beriman pleaded guilty to the charge  after her ride on River Saint at Geelong on Friday. She was charged with using the whip 11 times prior to the 100 metre mark – six more than permitted. Her suspension started midnight on July 13 and ends July 19.