Albany apprentice Rosie Mahony clinches Jericho Cup WA Qualifier marking a triumphant day for the ladies

Rising Albany apprentice jockey Rosie Mahony’s sparkling run of form continued on Sunday after saluting with Mister Popcorn in the $100,000 TABtouch - The Road to the Jericho Cup WA Qualifier. Mahony took the Ben Owen-trained stayer to the lead on the back straight of the first lap of the 3100m feature race at Percy Spencer Racecourse and that is where she stayed for the remainder of the run. Mister Popcorn ($20) held off a challenge on the final turn from The Roan Ranger ($6) but was far too strong, capturing the dash by four and a half lengths. The win now means Mister Popcorn will have a shot at $300,000 The Jericho Cup (4600m) held in Warrnambool in December. An elated Mahony said after the victory she always had full confidence in the five-year-old gelding’s chances. “3100m is a lot and you never know what you’re going to do but I knew I wanted to lead on it because that is where he is comfortable,” she said. “At the corner, he just kicked again and then in closing he kicked again so I was pretty confident he would take it out. “It’s surreal to win and I still don’t think I have won it.” The marquee win on Sunday is yet another pivotal victory in a glittering month of racing following her dual triumphs in the prestigious National Apprentice Race Series in Darwin. Indentured to leading Albany trainer Steve Wolfe, Mahony attributed her recent achievements to the guidance provided by her trainer, setting the stage for her continued success. “I’ve got a really good boss who puts me on some chances and I’ve just been really lucky,” she said. “I’ve put in the work in . . . and it’s finally starting to pay off but I just have to keep showing up and trying hard and it’s all worth it in the end.” The win marked a day for the ladies at Albany Racing Club with all seven races at the meet being snared by female jockeys. Kyra Yuill headlined the day with a winning double with Albany trainer Rebecca Baylliss’ Star In Time ($3.80) in the TABtouch Place A Same Race Multi Handicap (1230m) before claiming the TABtouch Share My Bet Handicap (1230m) with Angela Smith’s short-priced favorite Flying South ($2.80). After earning a spot on the podium in each of its last five races $1.95-priced Sir Bear A Lot gained a long-awaited victory in the TABtouch You’ve Got The Touch Maiden (1500m) after local hoop Natasha Faithfull successfully combined with trainer-mother Samantha. Simone Alteri notched a hat-trick of victories for Anthony Barton-trained Demito in the Arc Honour Australian Service Men And Women Handicap (1100m) and Chanel Cooper converted Time Stone’s Belle Noire ($26) to an unlikely victory in race two. Madi Derrick finished the day on a high after steering Perth trainer Ashley Maley’s Never Sober ($4.80) to a victory in the last.