Trainer Jamie Edwards paid tribute to stable apprentice Robin Peck after Tango Jewel coasted to an easy maiden win at Kilmore on Thursday.
Jamie said the Winning Rupert filly would not have won so early in her career or even made it to the races had it not been for Robin’s persistence.
“I reckon this filly has thrown Robin 20 times in trackwork,” Jamie said.
“I’m so very proud of him as this horse wouldn’t have got to this stage if he didn’t stick with it.”
From Singapore, Robin, 29, was recently accepted into Racing Victoria’s apprentice program and is a natural lightweight rider.
“He’s been riding trackwork for us six or eight months now and he is doing a great job for the stable,” Jamie said.
After finishing just behind the placegetters at her first two starts, Tango Jewel raced in blinkers for the first time at Kilmore where she began brilliantly and led all the way in the Broadstead Kilmore Maiden (1100m).
Backed from $4.80 to $4.40, she shot two lengths clear entering the home straight and was eased down in the closing stages to score by three lengths from first starter Congratsalot ($5) and with another 2-1/4 lengths back to L’il Outback Lass ($9).
Jockey Jack Hill said that with the blinkers on Tango Jewel was never going to get beaten.
“She jumped and controlled the race and won pretty easily,” Jack said.
“If she can control the race like she did today they won’t catch her over 1200m (next start).”
Jamie said despite being temperamental Tango Jewel looked to have a bright future.
She is the fourth live foal from the unraced Redoute’s Choice mare Modern Etiquette who is a sister to Group 2 Queen of the South Stakes winner Tango’s Daughter.
Tango Jewel’s owners Ross and Margaret O’Callaghan paid $10,000 for her at the 2020 Inglis Great Southern Sale which is now starting look a bargain.
“She’s developed into a lovely filly and while she has been a bit quirky I think she has a good future,” Jamie said.