BIG WEEK FOR JUSTIN WOOD

By Graham Potter | Monday, November 30, 2009

Apprentice jockey Justin Wood has just completed a memorable week in the saddle.

Wood’s most important success was his breakthrough win at a Metropolitan meeting when he guided the James Lyons trained Drenalin to a scintillating victory at Eagle Farm on Saturday, but there was nothing wrong with rest of his weeks pickings.

For the seven days beginning last Monday, Wood had fourteen rides at six race meetings. That ratio of 2.3 rides per meeting represents a relatively limited opportunity, but the young rider was certainly intent on making the most of any opportunity on offer as he brought home five winners at four different racetracks - Murwillumbah, Toowoomba, Eagle Farm and the Sunshine Coast - to rack up a healthy 35.7 win percentage.

“I try to stay down to earth and be pretty cool with it all," Said Wood. "You have to go out and do the job, you know. Some rides have more pressure on them than others. Some rides have a lot of pressure, but you’ve just got to be able to deal with it. If you can’t, you can’t be good enough.

“Yeah, it’s been a great week ... probably my best yet ... winning the Murwillimbah Cup, the win at Toowoomba, my first Metropolitan race win on Saturday and now the double at the Sunshine Coast. I couldn’t have topped a good week off with a better day. Two from two, you know. That’s good.

“Steele Ryan is my boss. He’s going really good. He gives me a lot of opportunities and gives me a lot of feedback from all my rides. He really takes an interest.”

Trainer Steele Ryan offered his view on Justin Wood’s progress after the trainer/rider combination had scored a last gasp win with Devikingsarehere at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday.

“He got the monkey off his back this week with his first city winner. He is a good boy. He’s got a long way to go, but he’s got a massive future this kid.”

A breakdown of Justin Wood’s competitive week, in which his riding ability attracted attention, is set out below.

Monday, Nov 23: Murwillimbah.
Two rides: Finished third in the Newmarket on De Bono.
Won the Murwillimbah Cup on Gather (8.00).

Tuesday, Nov 24: Not in action.

Wednesday, Nov 25: Eagle Farm.
One ride: Finished unplaced.

Thursday, Nov 26: Ipswich.
One ride: Finished fourth.

Friday, Nov 27: Toowoomba.
Four rides: Finished fourth; Finished unplaced twice.
Won on Jester Rumble (7.00).

Saturday, Nov 28: Eagle Farm.
Four rides: Finished unplaced three times.
Won on Drenalin (4.00).
This was Wood’s first Metropolitan success - an important milestone.

Sunday, Nov 29: Sunshine Coast.
Two rides - Two winners.
Won on Devikingsarehere (10.00).
Won on One Outed (15.00).
Wood’s race-to-race double highlighted the confidence with which the rider was going his business. There is nothing like success to breed a positive attitude. For those who picked up on following an in-form rider, there was a nice bonus waiting at the end of the line as One Outed paid 48.00 on the tote!

One week doesn’t make a career, but, in terms of gaining attention and moving his career forward, Wood did himself a lot of good in a week in which his results bode well for future success.

More articles