A son of a former champion wins on debut

The son of former champion jockey Michael Clarke has ridden a winner at his first race ride.

Apprentice Michael Poy guided the Robert Smerdon-trained Nature Strip to victory in a 1000m-maiden at Mornington on Tuesday.

Clarke was a champion rider of the 1980s and 1990s riding for Colin Hayes and won many of Australia’s biggest races including the 1986 Melbourne Cup on At Talaq.

He was also a four-time winner of the Melbourne jockeys’ premiership during the 1980s.

Poy is indentured to Caulfield trainer Stuart Webb.

“I couldn’t ask for anything better,” Poy told broadcaster racing.com.

“I was a bit worried about the barrier and Robert said go forward and see where you land. If you’re wide, you’re wide.

“He was just probably too good for them today.”

Senior jockey Damien Oliver was thrilled to see Poy win on debut.

Oliver remembers arriving from Western Australia as an apprentice and riding against the youingster’s father.

“Michael Clarke was a great rider and someone I watched and learned a lot off as a young boy coming over from WA,” Oliver said.

“Young Michael is one of the hardest workers there at Caulfield and he’s really conscientious and a lovely kid as well.

“It’s really good to see him have success at his first day.”