They say there’s nothing like horsepower.
Joe Azzopardi knows all about horsepower and yesterday at Belmont he scored a breakthrough win the saddle when Smitheringale won at massive odds.
Racehorses weren’t the first saddle the 16-year-old has been in and excelled in – the youngster a former accomplish motocross rider.
“I was in motocross for about seven years up until a couple of years ago,” Azzopardi said.
His small stature led him into another kind of horsepower and ain’t he loving it.
“My sister was always interested in the horses and a few people said to me I should look at riding horses because I was the right size.”
“And that’s how it all started and I’m really, really enjoying it,” he added.
The young rider had ridden four winners when he was legged aboard Smitheringale by his boss Rebecca Nairn in the opening event at Belmont yesterday.
A $31 chance with bookies, Smitheringale was at much longer odds on the TABs around the country – with prices between $160 and $220.
Few gave Azzopardi a chance of breaking through in town when the race started – expect Nairn who had faith in both horse and rider.
“It was a major buzz winning the race,” Azzopardi commented. “Just a great thrill – it was really amazing.”
Smitheringale, a filly by Trade Fair, was the horse who will forever hold a special place in the youngster’s heart.
She was a “chance” buy for Perth horsewoman Rebecca Nairn at the 2008 Magic Millions Mixed Thoroughbred Sale at Belmont.
“I was just at the sales, as I often am, and there was this mare at the sale with a lovely filly at foot and that was her,” she recalled.
“You just never know where the next winner will come from,” the self confessed sales tragic said. “I was at the sale and found her and now she’s a city winner.”
Nairn took a shine to the filly at foot and snapped up her mother Arctic Bite for just $4,000. Sadly Arctic Bite died, but Smitheringale has given connections plenty of smile about.
“She hadn’t had much luck in her previous races and while the form didn’t look that good on paper – her efforts weren’t that bad.”
“She’s missed the start a couple of times and did again last time and Ryan Hill send her right around the field – she hit the front in the straight but then weakened as you’d expect.”
“But I gave her some chance yesterday as her work had been super – she really was working well.”
“Joe rode her well and we got the win – so it’s a great result all round,” Nairn added.
Smitheringale’s dam Arctic Bite was placed in Perth at two and three during a short racetrack career prior to retiring to stud.
She has been represented by five runners – four winners as well as a placegetter in Malaysia.
As well as Smitheringale she produced the city winning juvenile Ice Artist (Peintre Celebre).
Keep an eye out for Smitheringale when she next races and look out for her good mate Joe Azzopardi aboard – they’re the best of friends and rightly so.
PIC – Damien Wyer.
