Tango Jewel is tracking towards her first stakes race assignment after providing siblings Judd and Jade Smith with their first win together as strapper and jockey respectively for Emsley Lodge at Geelong on Friday.
A triple city winner, Tango Jewel was resuming in the Ladbrokes Top 2/3/4 Betting Hcp (1130m) and overcame a wide gate, leading all the way.
Judd and Jade were both jubilant after the success and celebrated their triumph with a hug in the winner’s stall.
Judd, 19, has been working as a stablehand at Emsley Lodge since September 2024, and Jade has been occasionally riding work for the stable.
Judd and Jade are from Stawell, where their father Dane trains a small team of horses.
Jade, 18, had her first race ride on her father’s horse Spylark, which won at Warracknabeal on August 30, and Tango Jewel, who benefited from her 3-kilo claim, was her ninth winner from 58 mounts.
“It was a super win today,” Jade said.
“We’re always going to jump and be positive.
“She relaxed quite nicely for me, and she gave me everything from the 400m. She was really tough to the line, and when she heard the other horse coming, she fought back strongly.”
Owned by the O’Callaghan family, Tango Jewel ($14) scored by a neck from plunge horse Artistic Genius ($9 to $4.60) and favourite National Code ($2.60).
“I’m just so grateful to the Edwards family. They are a big supporter of mine and my brothers, so it’s a very special win.
Tango Jewel has won five of her 20 starts and $157,910 in prizemoney, but that could build significantly this summer.
Trainer Jamie Edwards said it was a bonus that Tango Jewel won first-up from an awkward barrier draw.
“I was looking for another option for her because of the wide gate, but we decided to run and try and win a bit of prizemoney instead of trial her, and she won, which was great.
Her next test is likely to be in stakes company in the Listed Christmas Stakes (1200m) at Sandown on Boxing Day as a lead-up to the Listed Black Pearl at Geelong on January 3.