The rapid rise of Ben Price continued at Morphettville on Saturday, as the apprentice dominated with four winners.
After a slow end to last season and still in his first year of race riding, securing his metropolitan licence has bolstered his confidence and increased opportunities which sees him sitting top of the South Australian Jockey Premiership with 16 wins, eight of those coming at metropolitan level.
Price won the opening race on Max Fire for boss Travis Doudle before guiding speedy three-year-old Philonize to a brave win for Strathalbyn trainer Dion Koch.
He combined with the Tony and Calvin McEvoy stable and Star Of Uma, finishing his memorable day by partnering Alleboom to victory for the Richard and Chantelle Jolly stable.
“You have your days, as all jockeys do,’’ Price said.
“You get a bit of luck and things on your side, and you can have days like today.
“You can go out on five favourites and come home with no winners, it’s just the way racing is and today it’s been on my side,’’ he said.
The Jolly stable opted to keep Alleboom in Adelaide rather then head to Melbourne, a decision that saw him extend his impressive record to six wins from 14 starts and bank $228,475 in prizemoney.
“I was three deep most of the trip,’’ Price said.
“He was strong to end, he was honest with big weight,’’ he said.
Alleboom was the first leg of a double for the Jolly stable who shared training honours with the McEvoy’s, while the day’s most popular win came when talented stayer Hasta La War scored his first win in 19 months.
The stable still hold a Melbourne Cup dream for the horse has walked the long road back from injury.
“We’ve nominated him for the Bart Cummings, and we’ll see what happens there,’’ trainer Sue Murphy said.
