Greg Ryan rode The Frick to victory in the opening race of day while Mathew Cahill saluted with Pride of Venice in race two.

Both wins were close, with Ryan able to find enough speed to run down an opponent in the closing stages, while Cahill had to hold off the field in the run to the line and both did their job.

Crockett told Sky Thoroughbred Central he rated Cahill’s ride an “11 out of 10”.

“It was an absolute peach, a beautiful ride.”

Pride of Venice started the $20,000 Federal Hotel Maiden Handicap (1400 metres) from way out wide in barrier 10 but Cahill was able to eliminate that concern early, moving the horse to sit just behind the leaders.

Shilopath (Anthony Cavallo, $11) and Yellowtail (Michael Heagney, $2.40 favourite) set the early pace but their challenge was to try and stay ahead of Pride of Venice. 

He caught and overtook them early on the home straight and went on to win by 1.5 lengths. Yellowtail had just enough to finish in front of a very fast finishing Darby Blue (Kaylee Kirkwood, $12).

“The little horse probably deserves a win but at the same time has a lot of mental issues. One week you put the blinkers on him and he goes too hard, then you take them off and he won’t go ” Crockett said of Pride of Venice.

“He’s been a hard horse to get across the line.”

The Frick was another who had showed promise in the early stages of his career but was still looking for that first win.

Like his stablemate he drew awkwardly from nine but with Ryan on board, was able to make up for it.

Coming into the race Crockett thought he may have to wait until another day for The Frick to break his maiden status.

The gelding had an infection in his foot and while he had been recovering well, Crockett said he thought he might need one more run to be ready.

It wasn’t the case. He had to come from the rear of the field because of an awkward barrier draw but Ryan had him pick his way through.

The $3 favourite looked like he was going to have too much work to do as he entered the straight but Wild Irish Dream (Jake Pracey-Holmes, $3.80) had run out of steam and was passed before the line.

Great Body (Andrew Banks, $31) came home third.

“My horses have been missing Greg since these Sydney trainers have been coming up and stealing him off our horses’ backs but when you can get him you snag him,” Crockett said.

“He won the race by not panicking when he got a bit deep, he didn’t hunt for the lead. I don’t give him any instructions ever, he just goes out and does what he does best.”

The meeting was delayed by 40 minutes because there was no vet at the track in time for the first race. Dubbo’s Ross Pedrana stepped up to fill the vacancy.