Rodney Northam is a mad St George Illawarra Dragons fan, he bleeds red and white.
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So it seems fitting the Scone-based trainer took out Sunday's $40,000 Mudgee Dragons Country Only Showcase Maiden Plate (1200m) with promising mare Philadora, the four-year-old even donning red and white silks for the run.
Northam was on hand to accept a gift from new Mudgee captain-coach Jack Littlejohn after the race and was thrilled to jag a win in an event named after the Dragons, even if it was the Mudgee variety.
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"It's the wrong Dragons … but any dragon's a good dragon," Northam laughed.
Michael Plummer's $21 shot Magical Flame jumped well from barrier three while Trojan was just as quick to find the head of the field a couple of shoots wider.
But Philadora shot to the front from even wider out at barrier 13 and extended her advantage on the rest of the field to lead by a length as the she rounded the bend at the Mudgee Race Course.
The chasing pack close the gap somewhat at the 400 metre mark but all that did was spur Northam's shot into action, champion hoop Greg Ryan guiding Philadora home to break her maiden by a massive six lengths.
"She jumped well and I said to Greg if she jumps well we'll go forward and he let her roll forward," an impressed Northam said.
"She got to the front easy enough and then controlled the race. It was a nice even tempo for her and she kicked on the straight. It was nice to watch."
Northam kick started his day on the right note as well, preparing a winner in the the Tabcorp Holdings Ltd Maiden Handicap (1400m) in the way of Harbouring.
Jumping as the $140 favourite, the three-year-old bay gelding was equally as dominant as his stablemate in a two-and-a-half length victory in the first.
"It's been a great day. I'll be going home a winner," he smiled.