It was celebration time for the Paul Jones stable last Friday when Sigidas (No.8) broke through for a win on her home track. The eight-year-old, ridden by Harry Coffey, won in a thrilling finish from Runaway Princess in the Quarry Restaurant 0-62 Handicap. The race brought an end to a successful day for the Stawell Racing Club. Picture: MARCUS MARROW
STAWELL - Stawell trainer Paul Jones struck success with Sigidas winning the final race of the afternoon, the Quarry Restaurant Handicap.
Sigidas was sitting at the back of the field before jockey Harry Coffey shifted her out with 300 metres to go, and she went to the line strongly to defeat Heath Conners-trained Runaway Princess by a short head.
Jones said it was good to get a win on his home turf, with the mare winning in front of most of her owners.
"Harry rode her well. I thought she got a good run from a good position with barrier three," Jones said.
"Harry had ridden her before so he knew to ride her as she felt. He had to make it up as it (the race) unfolded."
Sigidas had been in good form after having a 'really good race' in the Nhill Cup, where she finished a close second to Garret Lynch-trained Rikbat.
The eight year old's last start at Sandown didn't go quite as well.
"She was restrained early. In hindsight, it was better to let her run," Jones said.
"There was a lot less speed and the horse that led early won the race."
The win at Stawell was Sigidas' first following a 17 week spell and Jones said she had pulled up well.
"We'll be looking at a number of races over the next couple of weeks and hope she can win one or two more."
It was a fitting win in the Ladies In Racing Magazine Maiden Plate, with female jockey Rebecca Williams guiding Love to Learn to victory.
Love to Learn led the whole way to notch up her first win for Ballarat based trainer Jack Dalton, finishing over a length in front of second placed Caniwin.
Ms Williams said it was a 'super' effort by the three year old.
"She got lots of pace and I just let her jump and run," Ms Williams said.
"I've ridden her a couple of times for places. She's a girl's horse, I think she likes me.
"I let her roll along and she just outclassed them."
Peter Moody teamed up with jockey Linda Meech for a win in the D'Alton's Retreat Maiden Plate with first starter Are There Any.
Are There Any sat behind Terry and Karina O'Sullivan-trained Lachie's a Star for most of the race before taking the lead on the home straight.
The three year old drew clear with 100 metres to go, crossing the line to win by almost a length in front of Lachie's a Star.
Trainer Terry O'Sullivan said the winner was too good.
"It was probably not ideal going to the front. We probably needed to stay back, find a bit of cover," he said of Lachie's a Star.
"He's still learning and he'll get there."
In other races, Mandy Shillito-trained Empress Zakynthos led the whole way to win the Kookaburra Motel Handicap.
The mare was coming off a five week spell and held off a fast finishing race favourite, Darren Weir's Sierra De Oro to score victory by a half head.
Smiling Hussy came from the midfield to win the Grampians Chalets Handicap for trainer Anthony Dudley.
The six year old mare had been in good form, recording a second placing at Murtoa on New Year's Day.
Jockey Lincoln Coffey found a gap on the home straight and took off to upset short priced favourite, Peter Moody's Miss Provocative by a short half head.
