FORMER jumps jockey Daryl Cannon handed all the credit for Tough Vintage’s win in the time-honoured Great Western Steeplechase over 3600 metres at Coleraine on Sunday to respected jumps jockey Paul Hamblin.
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Tough Vintage led the whole way with Hamblin aboard to defeat Ebazan and Sir Lopez in the last jumping race of the 2018 season.
The victory gave Tough Vintage back-to-back Great Western wins.
Cannon, who trains six horses at Colac said Hamblin was a very underrated jockey.
“It was a great ride by Paul,” he said.
“Paul does not get the credit or rides he deserves.
“We had a plan that we wanted to run our rivals off their feet as we were carrying the minimum weight.
“We knew if we put the better performed horses under pressure they would struggle because they were carrying big weights.”
Sweet Lullaby won an action-packed maiden hurdle.
The Patrick Payne-trained jumper was aided with a brilliant ride from top jumps jockey Richard Cully to beat You Dash For Cash and Zoffman in the 3300-metre race.
Mr Coyne lost his rider while Hachoir fell.
The open hurdle was won by Killarney Kid over the first season jumper Ascot Red and Romelo.
Warrnambool-based jumps jockey Shane Jackson had the winning ride on Killarney Kid.
From his 47 starts Killarney Kid has won 14 races – two of those victories have been in hurdle races.
Meanwhile, Noumea scored a narrow victory for Cranbourne trainer Eric Musgrove over Unrealistic and Curragh to win the Coleraine Cup.
Noumea, who drifted in the betting was ridden by comeback jockey Jason Benbow.
The popular jockey has returned to riding after suffering injuries following a trackwork accident.
Top jockey Linda Meech took the riding honours with the treble.