CLARENDON training pair Philippe and Tara Vigouroux had a winner in Uncle Sugar at Hawkesbury Race Club last week.
Uncle Sugar, ridden by apprentice jockey Claire Nutman, just got its nose in front of Bronte Babe, ridden by Brenton Avdulla.
The 2100-metre 65 benchmark was the fifth career win for Uncle Sugar, a five year old gelding.
Philippe Vigouroux said he was very happy with the win, and the way Nutman rode the gelding.
‘‘He was perfectly ridden by Claire Nutman,’’ he said.
‘‘I asked her to lead but it is hard to win a race with a horse carrying 61.5 kilograms; she could have been caught on the line.
‘‘She had a bit of cover during the race and Claire was too good at the end.’’
Vigouroux was full of praise for Nutman’s skill as a jockey.
‘‘You look at the way she is riding. She had Brenton Avdulla just next to her and Brenton is one of the top jockeys in Sydney,’’ he said.
‘‘I think she is very underrated. She is a good worker and cares for our horses, and she does a good job for us.’’
Vigouroux said he was happy with the way Uncle Sugar pulled up, and would continue to race in this preparation.
‘‘He’ll go to Warwick Farm [on Monday, October 5] to race over 2200-metres,’’ he said.
‘‘If we race him in the provincials again he’ll get too much weight. I think he can be competitive again. He is a very happy horse and he has pulled up well.’’
At the Hawkesbury Race Club on Thursday, Jason Attard’s Haymate also won.
Scott Singleton’s Kiwi Boss was beaten by the nose of Allan Denham’s Cockles, while Garry Frazer’s Joel’s Delight was third and nearly three lengths behind.