Pollard Earns A Double Reward

Illawarra Mercury

Monday November 17, 2008

By CHRIS ROOTS

KIAMA jockey Scott Pollard got the reward for hard work when he rode a winning double on the promising Sarkosy and Miraculist at Kembla Grange on Saturday.

Pollard has been putting in the hours riding trackwork for Bede Murray and hopped on Sarkosy, who produced an amazing burst to take the Level One Asset Management Class 1 Handicap (1000m) to open the program.

The four-year-old came from near last at the turn to storm to a half-length victory from favourite Platinum Ruby, with Grandiva a head away third as the sprinters got home in a quick 32.32 sec for their final 600m.

"He hadn't had a (barrier) trial but that's what I thought he would do from what he has done on the track," Pollard said.

"He was just a bit too classy for them.

"He was always going to get back because he will be better suited at 1200m and he was run off his legs a bit.

"But he got home very hard and I think looking at the time he broke 33 (seconds for the final 600m), only good ones can do that."

Sarkosy improved his record to two wins from three starts, making a mockery of his only defeat as an odds-on favourite at Wyong in June, and looked as if he would be better for the run.

Murray completed a two-track double with Coniston Bluebird scoring an impressive win at Rosehill.

Pollard's second winner at Kembla had been a long time coming and gave him even more satisfaction. Miraculist ($3.90) gave punters something to cheer when he held off Druid ($6.50) and Carry On Dude ($9) and put a smile on Pollard's face.

"It was good to finally win a race on him because I have done all the work on him for Hilly (trainer Stephen Hill)," he said.

"He has won a couple of races but for one reason or another I haven't been there to ride him.

"It can get frustrating when that happens but he did a good job to win."

Pollard gave the four-year-old every chance by controlling the speed which became a sprint home.

It appeared Druid would get the better of him at the top of the straight but Miraculist edged clear to score.

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

Back to News Index | Back to Home