Jockey starts with a double win

• Published date: 24 April 2024
• Author: RACING Jess de Lautour, LOVERACING
• Publication title: Whanganui Midweek

In the first on the card, Matthews reunited with talented hurdler Harry Harrison, who was aiming to extend his three-race winning streak over the fences, and the compact gelding started a $2.00 tote favourite ahead of Kevin Myers’ trio, headed by Lochwinnoch at $2.80

The 8-year-old son of Haradasun was fresh-up at the races since early October, but showed that he meant business from the jump, flying over the first fence and swiftly developing a healthy lead over Lochwinnoch and Sweet Taboo.

Matthews eased the tempo aboard Harry Harrison heading down the back straight and Lochwinnoch began to chase turning for home, but the favourite never looked in doubt as he stormed clear to take out the Chillco (2850m) by three lengths.

Gail Temperton, who trains the gelding out of her Foxton base, was delighted with the performance.

“We don’t give instructions to Portia, we take them from Harry and he loves to be out there. He really enjoys his jumping so he just looks for the next fence,” Temperton said.

Matthews was aboard Harry Harrison at his maiden hurdles victory last year and had been involved with his preparation leading into the new season.

“I’m very happy with him, I keep in contact with Gail a lot, and I’ve done the schooling for her coming into this race and last year,” Matthews said.

“We knew he was going to be a little bit short today being fresh-up, and when I pulled up he didn’t recover quite as quickly as I’m used to, but with the shorter distance, he was able to get the job done.

“Harry doesn’t ride very small despite his size, he has the same-sized girth as a normal horse and he’s so brave. He’s got great owners and Gail knows her horses very well.”

Matthews was back in the winner’s circle in the following race, after picking up a late ride aboard the Kevin Myers-trained Afterallthistime in the First Aluminium Hāwera (3050m).

“That was a funny story, I was originally on my bosses [Mark Oulaghan’s] horse Super Spirit but he scratched all of the horses today, so in true Kevin fashion, he popped me on to one of his last minute without really letting me know,” she said.

“That was fine though, I got hold of him and had a chat about the horse, he’s a...