Irish born hoop Stephen Wilson announced he is well and truly back in premiership contending form with a winning treble at Cluden Park on Friday.
Wilson was at his busy best in the saddle, landing wins on two-year-old Husette, the super impressive Higher Realm and Lucky In Life - all for trainer Roy Chillemi.
“Very satisfying to get the three winners today,” said Wilson who is a mainstay rider for the Chillemi stable at Tolga.
“Things have been a bit quiet for me in recent times. Roy has a lot of young horses that have taken time to develop but they’re really hitting their straps.
“He’s been a great supporter of mine and I’m very grateful. I don’t think we’ve had an argument the whole time I’ve been riding for him,” the 2016/17 premiership winner said.
Wilson’s treble – all in the Tom Hedley colours - lifted his Townsville tally for the season to 10 with Justin Stanley.
Apprentice Marnu Potgieter, who had a flying start to the season, is just clear with 12 wins, with Graham Kliese and Chris Whitely on 11.
The quietly spoken Wilson is highly optimistic of another big season for the Chillemi stable.
“Higher Realm is a very exciting horse and you saw again today how he runs in and still does things wrong when he hits the front.
“You haven’t seen the best of him yet. Husette is promising and did a great job to win at only her second start and she’ll be a nice horse and the maiden winner (Lucky In Life) was very game.”
Lucky In Life, who finished a six length second to the brilliant Ruby July a week earlier, was the medium of a major betting move, firming from 10s to 3.6 and upset the favourite Seberton.
Both Husette (3.5 fav) and Higher Realm (1.8fav) gave punters a dream result.
Front running mare Hit Snooze continued her strong form this preparation with a cheeky all the way win with the limit weight in the Benchmark 65 Hcp (1000m) for trainer Georgie Holt.
Meanwhile, Nathan Day turned in the ride of the day with a bold mid race move to win on Kings County in muddling run Happy Valentines Day Hcp (1400m).
Pictured: That winning feeling. Jockey Stephen Wilson brings Higher Realm back to scale on Friday after landing the second leg of a winning treble.
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