Whilst team Shelton continued on its winning way at Grafton yesterday it was not the only Grafton stable to be in the winners circle.
Shane Everson was the first to celebrate when Rioli finally put his best foot forward to get the judges decision in what was a very tricky all Grafton finish.
Rioli ridden by Jon Grisedale made its winning run accompanied by the Greg Kilner pair of Volfoni and Swanston from the 200m and in a great finish Rioli stuck his nose down right on the line to get the judges verdict.
It was the first win for Everson with the gelding which from time to to time has promised so much in his early career including two Highway seconds at Randwick there is no doubt Shane is have to have that win under his belt.
To add even further to the occasion Rioli was strapped by Everson’s daughter Tayla who celebrated her eighteenth birthday over the weekend with Rioli providing a belated birthday gift.
There are a few stable in Grafton that survive on scouring the online sales in search of the right horse at the price and JB Racing under the guidance of Jason Reilly is one that is never off the keyboard.
That model provided the stable with its second win for the season when Sam’s A Fox scored a final stride victory in the Maiden 1400m.
Ridden by Kirk Matheson settled one out one back before Matheson moved into the clear on the point of the home turn. It was far from race over with Sam’s A Fox taking every inch of the long Grafton straight to reign in the leaders to poke its front right on the line.
Sam’s A Fox had been purchased as an unraced commodity for a modest sum from the powerhouse Brisbane yard of Tony Gollan in an online sale earlier in the year after having previously been placed once in a Doomben trial from two attempts.
Pics Head down number up for Rioli in race one.
Tayla Everson all smiles after the event.
Photo supplied by Trackside Photography 07 32165685
