It was fitting that father and daughter Terry and Dakota Gillett had a winning double at Alice Springs on Saturday on the same day they were honoured for their achievements during the 2023/24 season.
Ornamental Lady – starting at $2.90 with online bookmakers – saluted over 1200m at 0-64 level before Little Ditty, a $6.50 hope, prevailed over 1100m in 0-58 grade.
On Saturday night, Terry was awarded the leading trainer award with 25 wins and Dakota secured the leading apprentice award with 16 wins at the Red Centre Racing Awards.
Ornamental Lady, Epaulette’s seven-year-old mare, and Little Ditty, Outreach’s five-year-old gelding, outclassed their rivals earlier in the day after leading from start to finish.
Back in grade, Ornamental Lady exploded at the home turn to overcome Paul Gardner’s $2.35 PlayUp favourite Perkova and Kevin Lamprecht’s Ginger Creek by 4.1 lengths.
After two minor placings, Little Ditty was in good shape at the 350m once rounding the final bend and was never under threat despite prevailing by 0.6 lengths from Will Savage’s Only The Best and Dan Morgan’s fast-finishing $2.80 favourite Boy Big.
Former NSW galloper O’Tycoon, victorious at Newcastle and a placegetter at Randwick, was in the mix over 1100m against 0-70 opposition after rattling home late to finish a narrow second over 1200m in the 0-70 ranks a fortnight ago.
When Will Savage’s Talent Quest, who had won five of its past seven starts, was scratched at the barrier, the task for Lisa Whittle’s O’Tycoon – the $2.35 favourite with Sonja Logan aboard – was made easier before sinking Gillett’s Hurn Court and Savage’s Boss Shelby by 4.6 lengths.
Barry Cooke’s $2.35 Neds favourite Chief White Sock, ridden by Stan Tsaikos, also led throughout before making it back to back wins with an impressive display over 1100m at 0-58 level.
WA trainer Yannick Valenti enjoyed his second win at Pioneer Park when $11 prospect Get Out Mick – partnered by Victorian apprentice Jessica Booth – came from last to salute in Class 2 action over 1100m.
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