MR Ferrari proved he had more horse power than the rest of the field in an outstanding run to secure the $15,000 Sunraysia Daily Mallee Cup at Sandilong Park on Tuesday.
The six-year-old gelding from the stable of Bordertown owner-trainer Scott Irlam led from the jump and was barely headed as he covered the 1400-metre sprint from start to finish for the second victory of his 23-race career so far.
It was a big result for Adelaide jockey Anna Jordsjo, who had her first ride on Mr Ferrari in more than 12 months.
Jordsjo had a winning treble on a day dominated by female jockeys, who won all six races on the card.
In the main race, Nichols Point trainer Raharna McDonald’s Alaskan Storm was ridden into second by apprentice jockey Caitlin Tootell, while Shal Exceed from the stable of Swan Hill’s Con Kelly rounded out the trifecta with Melissa Julius in the saddle.
A step up in class required Mr Ferrari to drop significant weight, which Irlam said allowed him to hit top pace for his first Mallee Cup victory.
“Our other jockey that rides him a lot Alana (Livesy), she couldn’t get up here today but she said step him up in class, get some weight off his back,” he said.
“He carried four and a half kilos, he hasn’t carried that weight for so long and he just appreciated it and let them up.
“Anna has ridden him a lot too, those two girls have stuck with me and it’s just great to see her get rewarded too.
“Last year I had a winner on Cup Day, and have been on and off up here. I love the club, they’re friendly, nice atmosphere around here.”
Four scratchings prior to the race brought it back to a seven-horse field as light drizzle hit Mildura Racecourse in time for the main event.
Jordsjo had the first winner of the day in her first ride on five-year-old gelding Montana State, who earned a first career victory in the 1300m maiden plate.
In his fifth start since joining the stables of Morphetville owner-trainer Leah Conlon, Montana State passed the post less than half a length ahead of the Heath Chalmers-trained Keiross King.
Jordsjo and Irlam had their first winning combination in the 1100m maiden plate as four-year-old gelding The Big Wheel took the honours in his first start.
Chalmers recorded to a second successive runner-up finish with More Give It, ridden by Julius.
Jordsjo fell just short of making it three wins from three starts as the Shayne and Chelsea Cahill-trained Kova took victory in the 1000m handicap with Tootell in the saddle for win No.38 for her career.
Starting from gate 3, Kova was able to hold Vampire Slayer, trained by Kerri McAnulty and Clint Binnie, at bay to win by less than half a length.
The Cahills and Tootell recorded a double by taking out the 2000m handicap, the final start of the day.
Swan Hill trainer Nathan Hudson also tasted victory with Frowned in the 1200m handicap, comfortably ridden home by Makisha Salter.
Racing is back at the Mildura Racing Club in May.
