Taree trainer Ross Stitt grabbed two winners despite a last minute hiccup to find two new jockeys due to Matthew McGuren being injured at Wauchope Jockey Club's TAB meeting before a good crowd at Kempsey on Monday.
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Both McGuren, who injured himself at early morning trackwork and Samantha Clenton with a foot injury, had to be replaced, after having 10 mounts between them.
But replacement apprentice jockey Mikayla Weir on resuming Fair Dinkum and top country hoop Aaron Bullock on Oh So Hot delivered wins in style for Stitt.
Unfortunately, the trainer wasn't trackside to enjoy the spectacle as he was at a friend's funeral.
Bullock especially was chuffed to gain the ride on three-year-old filly Oh So Hot in the Runner Up Trainer "Colt Prosser" Class 1 Handicap over 1450m.
It gave him his third win at the meeting and matched his tally of wins at his previous race meeting at Moree on Sunday.
He had to ride the filly a half-kilo over but after parking her just behind the pace in fourth position, he timed his run to score by a short neck from six-year-old mare Hold All Tickets.
It gave Taree trainer Glen Milligan, son of Bob, another placing in his first season in the trainer's ranks.
Happy part owner Doug MacLean, of Heron's Creek, was in good spirits in following the stable and likened Bullock's ride to that of Robert Thompson who scored on his filly in the $40,000 Showcase Maiden at the Taree Gold Cup meeting on August 18.
"She is living up to her potential," he said.
Bullock said: "It was a good win but she is better suited on bigger tracks."
Stitt in his preview was keen on the chances of resuming four-year-old Fair Dinkum as the gelding had worked well and was not showing the leg soreness which plagued its previous campaign.
Stitt's friend looking after proceedings trackside, CEO of Clarence River Jockey Club Michael Beattie, said Stitt had an "enormous opinion" of Fair Dinkum which posted its third win in 13 starts in the Leading Trainer "Kris Lees" Benchmark 58 Handicap over 1000m.
"He missed out in taking it to town for a Highway race a couple of weeks ago and maybe he will go for one next.
"It was a 10 out of 10 ride by Mikayla."
Newcastle trainer Kris Lees provided three of four wins at Moree for Bullock and the two again combined for a winning double at Kempsey.
Four-year-old gelding Moscini made it two wins in a row by just under a length in the Leading Apprentice "Cejay Graham" Class 2 Handicap over 1250m after being second most of the way.
He then backed up in the next, over 1250m on resuming four-year-old gelding Mr Piquet for a length win after coming from mid-field.
Bullock had to change course at a vital stage in the straight on Port Macquarie mare Veganza.
The favourite, trained by Jenny Graham, looked unlucky behind five-year-old Grafton gelding Sckam, ridden by Laura Cheshire in the Leading Jockey "Andrew Gibbons" Benchmark 58 Handicap over 1900m.
Veganza in 19 starts has one win and been runner-up eight times.
A change of jockey from Clenton to Louise Day meant the latter won the Runner Up Apprentice "Louise Day" Maiden Plate over 1450m on Taree four-year-old gelding Feed The Speed.
A hometown track victory was posted in the last race, Horse Of The Year "Victorem" Benchmark 66 Handicap over 1450m.
Six-year-old gelding Mister McIlroy, ridden by Ben Looker beat Port's Mister Smartee by just over a length.
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