Promising young apprentice Natasha Faithfull has made a flying start to the new racing season and capped off an outstanding 48 hours in the saddle when she rode four winners across two meetings.
Faithfull commenced her golden weekend with victory in the first at Belmont Park, the playeronline.com.au Handicap (1400m), on her favourite horse Terminado.
Terminado, the oldest horse in the race and Faithfull the youngest rider, were never headed after dashing to the front and at the line held a comfortable 1 ¼ length margin.
The eight-year-old mare, prepared by Duncan Wilson, was responsible for Faithfull’s first Saturday winner on August 4.
“She is my favourite horse,” said Faithfull.
“She just tries her heart out each and every time she steps out onto the racecourse.”
Faithfull completed her maiden Saturday double when she piloted Times Are Changing to a strong win in the Climate Technologies Handicap (1200m).
Time Are Changing is trained at Ascot by Don Daniels who scored his first city winner since rejoining the training ranks after a 26 year absence 18 months back.
Faithfull mirrored Belmont when she rated Canacskaroo to a comprehensive win in the Kalgoorlie opener, the Liquor City Maiden (1400m).
The Gary Bowen-trained galloper was four lengths clear of his nearest rivals with Force Of Nature and Spiritage filling the minors.
“He deserved to win because he had no luck last time out,” said Faithfull.
“He jumped well and they couldn’t catch him.
“I think he will get over further ground and is really looking for the mile or more.
“He will end up being a good horse.”
Faithfull completed the double when she rode out Distinctive Dane to a narrow neck victory over American Mistress in the Doug Milne & Les O’Brien Handicap (1600m).
Faithfull’s weekend tally boosted her overall strike rate for the season to six wins from 24 metropolitan and provincial rides with a winning percentage of 25%.
“It makes the hard work you put in all the more rewarding,” said Faithfull.
The diminutive lightweight rider is indentured to Steve Wolfe.
“I think she has a great future ahead of her,” said Wolfe.
“She is getting stronger, loves race riding and continues to improve.”