Rive Gauche enhances cup claims with successive wins

Veteran stayer Rive Gauche appears set to contest this Sunday’s $70,000 Esperance Cup (2000m) after scoring successive wins when he claimed the Likely Lads Handicap (2000m) at Mt Barker Turf Club last week.

The eight-year-old grey galloper won the Kojonup Cup (1770m) at their annual picnic race meeting on February 4 which ended a winning drought that stretched back to August 2014.

He backed that effort up in Mt Barker on Thursday after jockey Fiona Bell bustled the Zabeel gelding to the front from barrier six, and went on to score an all the way victory.

Rive Gauche ($7.10) found plenty in the final stages as he kicked home strongly along the rail to down the gallant $2.70 favourite Sassenach and score by a short neck.

Winning trainer Michael Lane, from Boyanup, was delighted his reliable stayer was back in winning form ahead of the Esperance Cup assignment.

“That’s the plan the Esperance Cup,” Lane said.

“There wasn’t much around for him so we took him to Kojonup and then here to try and get his confidence back up.

“As long as he freshens up he go to Esperance and he’ll definitely benefit from that run.

“You just have to keep him fresh and happy.”

Lane paid credit to Bell for her front-running ride, the result lifting her into the equal lead of the Great Southern apprentice jockeys’ premiership.

“Fiona has done a fair bit of work for me over the time,” Lane said.

“She is a great kid and has been great help.

“She has really improved as a rider.”

It proved a successful day for the Bunbury region with Mark Bairstow notching his 11th winner of the Great Southern season when Falco saluted in the IR & TM Pope Shearing Handicap (1300m).

The former Eastern States galloper carried 60kg second-up but powered clear late for apprentice Kate Witten to score by three-quarters of a length.

Fellow apprentice Tayla Stone tasted success aboard five-year-old Mr Mcbu who scored a terrific win in race four while Miss Singapore was very impressive in her first outing for new trainer Maria Hunter.