Les Tilley ride leaves rivals red-faced
The Les Tilley-ridden Red Colour has led all the way to win the first race on Doomben Cup day.
Unfashionable jockey Les Tilley showed some of Australia’s best riders a few tricks in riding Doomben racetrack when he steered Red Colour to victory.
Tilley, who rides mainly at the provincial tracks at Saturdays, took Red Colour ($7) to the lead from a wide barrier and then walked the field through the first 1000m.
In the end he kicked away in the straight with Red Colour scoring by 2-3/4 lengths to Fabulohn ($7.50) with 1-3/4 lengths to Mymming ($14) third in the TAB Handicap (1600m).
Trainer Les Ross said the tactics on Red Colour had worked out perfectly with no one wanting to challenge for the lead.
“Red Colour and Les did the same thing at Eagle Farm a few runs back and she just got nailed on the line. But with the shorter Doomben straight we thought we were in with a chance,” Ross said.
“Les is a really under rated rider and I m never afraid to put him on my horses.
“I won the first race at Doomben last week and they might have to start calling me first race Les.”
The well backed favourite Sacred Day ($4) got a long way back and ran on for fifth but was never a winning hope.
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