As Tessa Burrito sailed past the post for a comprehensive win at Port Macquarie on Friday, victory marked a wonderful return to race riding from major injury concerns for Newcastle jockey, Samantha Clenton.
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Life for the leading apprentice took a dramatic turn for the worse in October 2016 when a horrific race accident at Scone left her with a fractured left collarbone and six crushed vertebrae.
Despite major operations to insert two stabilising metal rods into her spine and the fusing of three vertebrae, many leading medical specialists believed she would be lucky to walk again let alone consider a comeback to race riding.
But with the support of her partner, Tim McIntosh, together with the might and friendship of her former boss and leading trainer, Kris Lees, Clenton has defied all odds to resume riding at Scone on Monday after two and a half years on the sidelines before victory with Tessa Burrito.
The former leading apprentice in the 2015-2016 season was able to balance the Lees trained daughter of Sebring perfectly in the second half of the field before flashing home down the centre of the track to take the Maiden Handicap by a neck over Lucky for Some and Mr Piquet.
Now mother to four-month-old son, Isaac, Clenton's determination to succeed has no bounds and the most immediate assignment programmed is a full resumption of riding and to outride her apprentice claim in the metropolitan area before coming out of her time.
And with the love and support of so many in the thoroughbred industry together with natural ability and an outstanding attitude, there will be plenty cheering for Sammie to succeed well into the future.
Racing was conducted under overcast skies on a soft surface providing a good grass cover with the rail placement leading to the track racing fairly evenly despite tending to providing some advantage to horses finishing down the outside section of the track.
Training honours were shared throughout the program with Ben Looker the most successful jockey following victories to Rhythmic Pulse and Foxy Foxinator.
The Grant Allard trained gelding, Rhythmic Pulse, cleared out to break his maiden status in comprehensive fashion before Foxy's Foxinator claimed a narrow victory for Jenny Graham over Surjin and Dew Drop.
The fortunes of local trainer, John Sprague, seem to be on the rise when Patriot and Robert Thompson crossed the line for a narrow win in the Benchmark 66 with encouraging performances by Amberle, Lucky for Some, Chaos Ball together with an outstanding effort by Dew Drop providing plenty of positives for the stable.
Scorching completed the treble of wins for Tuncurry trainer, Terry Evans, in the opening event while nobody would deny She's Just Sayin's victory for Alan Smith in the Benchmark 66 Handicap.
Lightly raced Magic Albert filly, Lightning Ally, provided plenty of encouragement for prominent Gosford mentor, Kylie Gavenlock when scoring over Snitzel Reign while Rosaria Caterina gave nothing a chance when saluting in the final event.
The Port Macquarie Race Club would like to express appreciation on Master Builders race day for the continued support of
The Port Macquarie Race Club would like to acknowledge the support on Master Builders Race Day of valued sponsors, BDM Constructions, Kennards Hire, Fastplast Building Supplies, Stowe Australia, Elders Real Estate, Ascot Park / Nationwide Property Brokers, Petries Mitre 10, and Sovereign Hills and thank them most sincerely for their continued assistance.
Racing continues at the track on Saturday 30th March with full Sky Racing and TAB coverage to coincide with the continuation of the Autumn Carnival at Rosehill featuring the group one action of the Tancred and Vinery Club Stakes.
