Albany jockey Natasha Faithfull lands first home cup after booting home Said No One Ever in $100,000 feature

Homegrown jockey Natasha Faithfull is still pinching herself after winning her first Albany Cup on Sunday. Faithfull, who was raised in Albany and did her apprenticeship here with trainer Steve Wolfe, won the $100,000 feature race for the first time aboard local galloper Said No One Ever. The 29-year-old sustained a knee injury on February 15 and was out of action for almost six weeks but returned recently and has now won her city’s biggest race. “It’s one of the biggest achievements in my career,” an ecstatic Faithfull said. “The Hannans Handicap is probably the biggest race I’ve won but this sits right alongside it. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to tick off the bucket list after doing my apprenticeship here and being from Albany. “The cup is such a big race and I never thought I’d actually get the opportunity to win one. “I’m still pinching myself that I actually did it.” Faithfull said the Annette Crump-trained gelding was a big, strong type with lots of potential. “In running a thought I was a good chance after getting into a good spot,” she said. “We drew gate six and it is just awkward in the middle and a bit tricky but we got across into a lovely spot. “Last start he ran to the line really well and I thought the 2100m would really suit him. Faithfull is enjoying a brilliant season in the saddle with 68 winners in total and she leads the WA provincial premiership with 53 victories after a double on her home turf on Sunday. Powerful Force ($5) scored a tough on-speed victory in race six, leading virtually all of the way. The Cliff Green-prepared gelding made it successive wins in Albany after edging out Divine Mercy by half a length on the line. On Saturday she also took out the $20,000 Dongara Cup (1850m) after the Tiarnna Robertson-trained Shabalala proved too strong.