NOLEN WINS BACK-TO-BACK SCOBIE BREASLEY MEDALS

By Matt Nicholls

13/08/2012

with Racing Victoria

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Luke Nolen last night became the fourth jockey to win more than one Scobie Breasley Medal, defeating Dwayne Dunn comfortably of Victoria’s premier riding award.

Nolen, the stable rider for leading trainer Peter Moody, polled 66 votes to defeat Dunn (51).

After emerging triumphant in the metropolitan premiership after a gripping duel with Craig Newitt, Nolen joined Damien Oliver, Craig Williams and Brett Prebble as the only riders to have won the award more than once and was thrilled to do so.

“I don't know if I belong in that company, they're world-class riders all three of them, but it must mean that I'm doing something right,” said an emotional Nolen, who dedicated the award to his seven-month-old daughter Kailey.

“This is very satisfying. I thought I had a better year last year, obviously you need the votes from the stewards and you just hope to get the recognition from them and I was pleased to get it again this year.

“I didn't go into the season any different to last year, I was hopeful but not confident, and fortunately it was the same result again.”

The Scobie Breasley Medal is awarded to the most outstanding rider across Victoria's 116 metropolitan race meetings, with votes lodged on a 3-2-1 basis by Racing Victoria stewards for the rides deemed to be the best at each meeting.

Dunn, who finished third in the jockeys' premiership, comfortably held down second position on 51 votes, with four-time winner Craig Williams third on 40, despite missing more than one-third of the season due to international commitments.

The expected challenge from Newitt never eventuated. Newitt had to be content with equal sixth with Nick Hall on 32 votes, marginally behind Ben Melham (35) and six-time winner Damien Oliver (34).

Rounding out the top 10 were Chris Symons (31), Steven Arnold (28) and Brad Rawiller (23).

Nolen's win was part of a stellar night for the Black Caviar team.

Peter Moody claimed a second straight Fred Hoysted Medal for being the state’s top trainer, while the champion mare won the Victorian Racehorse of the Year, beating Atlantic Jewel.

Black Caviar's Coolmore Lightning Stakes win was also deemed the Most Memorable Moment.

The feature jumps races might be over for another year, but Steven Pateman continues to rack up wins.

The champion jumps rider capped a dominant season with yet another win in the Tommy Corrigan Medal.

It was the fifth time in six years that Pateman has won the award, which recognises the season's most outstanding jumps rider.

Votes are lodged on a 2-1 basis by the officiating stewards’ panel at every Victorian and South Australian jumps meeting.

Pateman was honoured to complete a hat-trick of wins in the award, which he also claimed in 2007 and 2008.

“I could get used to this,” he said understatedly.

“It's great that the jumps jockeys get recognised here tonight.

“I suppose this is a way of being appreciated for your hard work and, with the history behind Tommy Corrigan, which is one of the factors behind why jumps racing is so special, it's a real thrill to win it again.”

Pateman edged to within one of equalling six-time winner Craig Durden's record when he polled 53 votes to score an emphatic 40-vote win.

After winning five of the six jumps races at the Warrnambool May Racing Carnival – including the Grand Annual Steeplechase and Galleywood Hurdle – Pateman went on to win numerous other features.

He completed the Grand National Hurdle-Grand National Steeplechase double aboard Brungle Cry and Bashboy respectively, while he scored further J.J. Houlahan Jumps Championship wins in the Crisp Steeplechase (Bashboy) and Jack Dow Memorial Hurdle (Palmero).

Leading home the trailing division behind Pateman was Irish jockey John Allen on 13 votes, while rounding out the top five were Gavin Bedggood (12), Brad McLean (11) and Trent Wells (8), all of whom enjoyed feature races success this year in the J.J. Houlahan Championship.

Because Monday Musings was held off today, we'll have a look at some of the weekend action tomorrow.

The main point will be, however, is the new Victorian TAB website. I believe the NSW TAB also has the same site.

I'm not sure what readers think, but the general consensus among my colleagues and fellow punters is that it's a shambles.

I'll be seeking comment from the TAB and if you have any questions or comments regarding the new site, send them through to melbourneracing@gmail.com