Visiting northern rider Jasmine Fawcett capped a red-letter day when she guided the Mark Jones-trained runner Phelan The Power to victory in the Listed Speight’s Timaru Stakes (1400m) at Riccarton.
Fawcett has been making regular trips to ride in the south with good success of late and made every post a winner as she notched up five winners on the day and brought up her 200th win in the saddle since commencing her career back in 2015.
Sent straight to the lead by Fawcett, Phelan The Power set up a steady clip in front but looked to be in trouble when clearly headed by eventual runner-up Live Drama at the 300m.
Fawcett kept at her mount and he slowly clawed back the margin to thrust his nose in front when it mattered to secure career victory number five at start number 30.
“It was an unbelievable day and the win by Phelan The Power was very special”, Fawcett said.
“I didn’t think I had won as he was behind the other horse at the line but when I asked Kylie Williams (rider Live Drama) she said I had got it.
“He is just one of the toughest horses I’ve ever ridden and I do have to thank Tayla Mitchell who told me the key to him after she had ridden him.
“It’s still sinking in that I won five today and have gone past 200 winners doing it.
“I’m actually feeling really tired so I’m looking forward to going home and relaxing.
“Unfortunately there are no flights home until Monday because of all the wild weather so I can have a bit of a sleep in in the morning.”
Fawcett also paid tribute to the southern racing community who have helped her over the past few months.
“I really enjoy coming down south and people have been so good to me,” she said.
“I’ve had great support so any success I get is my way of paying back all the help they have given me.”
Trainer Mark Jones is also making his way in the thoroughbred industry after a stellar driving career in harness racing as well as making his mark in the training ranks over a number of years.
Phelan The Power began his career in the north for Cambridge mentor John Bell, where he won once before making his way to Jones in June 2021 where he now has another three wins and ten placings from his 22 southern starts.
“That was such a big thrill, especially as thoroughbred racing is really a new code and new challenge for me,” Jones said.
“I’m just starting off with the thoroughbreds and on a big learning curve but when you get a horse like this it makes it a hell of a lot easier.
“The way he won today was special, although he has done similar before, but everyone loves a horse with a heart like his and now he’s given me my first stakes win, it’s very exciting.
“He is the sort of horse who backs up well so we might take a look at the White Robe Lodge (Gr.3, 1600m) at Wingatui next weekend then give him a freshen up after that.” – NZ Racing Desk
