FIND of the season, six-year-old local gelding Road To Summer, notched its fourth win in four months in the Turfcare NSW Bushland Drive Racecourse 40th Anniversary Cup over 1412m at Taree Wingham Race Clubs TAB meeting on a good track this week.
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The win not only gave trainer Melissa Harrison a cup to remember but also Coffs Harbour apprentice jockey Kaylee Kirkwood two career highlights.
She won the $50,000 Dubbo Cup on Taree's Single Spirit on Sunday, backed up with another cup win on Monday - all leading to her 20th birthday on Tuesday.
"It has been good - two great days," Kirkwood said after leading all the way on Road To Summer (4-1on) for nearly a two lengths win.
Harrison was given the gelding to train by her uncle Bruce Badcock.
"Everything went to plan," she said.
Trainers in Victoria gave up on the gelding and suggested retirement but Harrison convinced her uncle to "give me a try" with the galloper.
"This is my first cup for a long time," she said in awe of her galloper.
Prizemoney so far is edging towards $50,000 since she took over training Road To Summer and the Bowraville Cup may be the gelding's next assignment, depending on his weight as it is climbing with every win.
Wauchope gelding Orotund (10-1) chased the winner all the way for second but there was little hope for rivals after Kirkwood unleashed the brakes on the strongly built gelding.
Race club vice-chairman Alan Skinner in thanking the sponsors during the presentation ceremony said: "This horse won like a good thing should win - and to think it was given to you (Harrison)."
