Sydney jockey Christian Reith celebrated his first visit to Flemington with a Group 1 win on dynamic filly Nechita in the $500,000 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) today.

Nechita

Nechita gives jockey Christian Reith his first Group 1 win Coolmore Stud Stakes. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Reith described himself as the “little Aussie battler” as he returned to the mounting yard on the John Thompson trained filly after blitzing the field of smart three year olds.

“My first Group 1 ever,” Reith said.

“I was pretty confident that when I did break a Group 1 it would be on a big day.”

Reith put his confidence in Nechita’s brilliant ability and didn’t have a specific plan going into today’s race on Derby Day, one of the biggest race days on the Australian racing calendar.

“Her turn of foot, nothing in the three year olds in Australia has her turn of foot, very explosive.”

“I’m just a little Aussie battler trying to do his best.”

Reith gave thanks to the whole Patinack Farm racing team for their support which has been rewarded with this Group 1 win today.

Thompson was full of praise for Reith and was happy to provide him with his first victory at the highest level.

“It’s the first day he’s ever ridden here to win his first Group 1. He deserves it, he’s been doing the hard yards and it’s good to see him come through,” Thompson said.

“I’ve always thought she was a top line sprinter. She’s a good horse going forward and I’m sure she’s got plenty more of them install.”

Nechita was having her first start since getting beaten as favourite in the Group 1 $1m Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on September 15 but put the writing on the board with an impressive jump out win down the Flemington straight on Tuesday.

Favourite Snitzerland had a good run off the pace but couldn’t match it with the placegetters over the final 200m and wound up in fourth position finishing just in front of Queensland colt Sizzling.

Reith dashed Nechita ($5) to the front at the 300m and held on to beat Jolie Bay ($7.50) by three quarters of a length with $51 chance Shamexpress running a mighty race to finish third.

Nechita’s Group 1 win topped off an emotional week for prominent owner Nathan Tinker after Patinack Farm sold off 200 Broodmares as well as a huge number of tried horses at the Magic Millions Sales complex on the Gold Coast.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.