Abbott win a big boost for trainer-jockeys

One Stryke (right) has given trainer Lauren Abbott an important win at Doomben.

Versatile Lauren Abbott is hoping One Stryke’s Doomben win will be a catalyst for a rule change about the number of horses Queensland trainer-jockeys can prepare.

Abbott, a former successful North Queensland rider, is one of only two Brisbane-based trainer-jockeys.

Ridden by Jim Orman, One Stryke ($21) gave Abbott her second metropolitan Saturday winner when he won the XXXX Dry Plate (1050m).

“At the moment trainer-jockeys here are restricted to having five horses. I only renewed my jockeys’ licence because I am light,” Abbott said.

“Jim (Orman) rides a lot of my horses but sometimes he can’t ride the lightweights and I can’t get anyone else. Now I can ride them myself.

“I am a full-time trainer and not a full-time jockey so I need more horses to make a living.

“Hopefully officials will ease up on the number restrictions.”

Abbott, who mixes training, riding and raising her son Harry, said One Stryke had been looking to get a good barrier draw and had got that on Saturday.

Junction ($20) gave trainer Mark Currie four winners at two tracks when he led all the way in the Lexus Handicap (1600m).

Currie was at Warwick where he saddled Maguli, Barney’s Law, and Ready Babe to win.

Junction has now won three races and been minor placed four times since joining Currie’s stables in June.

“It wasn’t our aim to lead but when no one else wanted to go to the front Matt (jockey McGillivray) did the right thing to go forward,” stable representative Shane Iverson said.

Jockey Michael Cahill got a double on Sophie’s Gold Class ($5.50) when he replaced Mark Du Plessis who was stood down after being kicked on the leg by a horse while unsaddling after the first race.

Cahill, who won earlier on Minjee, resumed earlier this month after breaking a foot in a barrier accident in October.

Du Plessis believed his injury wasn’t serious and he would able to ride next week.