Not a $1 million Group 1 by any means, but Jordan Childs was content to extend his fine run from the previous weekend via another feature conquest at Bendigo on Saturday.
The jockey riding with flair won the lead Black Type affair at Bendigo’s Golden Mile fixture when aligning with Danny O’Brien’s filly Gold Coast Belle for a tenacious score in the $200,000 Listed Bendigo Guineas (1400m).
It built directly on his shock win in the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes from the Saturday before riding Geegees Mistruth – ending an eight-year wait for Group 1 glory – with Childs eager to keep the good times flowing.
“Last week was great and I’ve continued to ride winners since then, so we’re in a bit of form at the moment and very happy,” Childs said.
“I feel like I’ve been riding well for a while, I’ve been very consistent in my riding the last few seasons and I’ve always been around the mark.
“Not riding Group 1 winners, but riding Group 2 and Group 3 and feature races, so to knock over that second Group 1, hopefully I can build a bit of momentum off that going into the Brisbane Carnival and then into spring.”
Childs’ self-belief prevented any early concern as the pace-setter Gold Coast Belle endured a wide trip for significant portions of the race, but they summoned a powerful finish in the straight for the gritty victory.
As the $2.70 top pick, she held off Bel Mezyaan ($8.50), surging inside, by a neck and was a half-head superior to Sulek ($31) in third.
“It was a really good effort from her and all credit to the horse,” Childs said.
“The race probably didn’t work out how we would have liked but good horses overcome that.”
The Bendigo Guineas result elevated Gold Coast Belle to four wins in six career starts, with the daughter of So You Think placing second in each of her other two efforts.
Childs ventures interstate again next weekend to the Gold Coast, partnering She’s A Hustler in the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes.
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