Praline proved he's getting better with age on Sunday and jockey Kath Bell-Pitomac might just be doing the same.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Bell-Pitomac guided the Dar Lunn-trained two-year-old to a second win in three starts in Sunday's Furney's Horseland Class 1 Handicap (1110m) at Dubbo Turf Club.
The result continued what is an exciting start to Praline's career while it maintained Bell-Pitomac's strong results since returning from injury suffered in a horror fall at Tamworth in March of last year.
The Wellington jockey has been back in the saddle since January but the rides, and victories, have started to become more frequent.
The win was Praline was part of an early Dubbo double after she had also saluted with the Mick Mulholland-trained Cutie Patoutie in the opener.
"I feel like I'm riding better now than before my fall," Bell-Pitomac said.
"There was a lot of work to get back and body-wise I'm feeling really, really good and really balanced.
"There's been a lot of opportunities and people like Dar who've stuck with me, that really helps you out."
READ ALSO:
The most serious of Bell-Pitomac's injury was the impact on her brain which left her battling poor eyesight and serious fatigue long after the fall.
But Sunday's win was the eighth this season for the apprentice and it was a strong one as she got the exciting two-year-old Praline ($6.50) across well from gate nine to take the lead early on.
Spilt ($9.50) took control along the rails soon after but after they entered the straight Lunn's hope move forward again.
At the 200m mark Praline was clear of the chasing pack and while some ran home well they were no match for the winner, who scored by just over one-and-a-half lengths.
It made it two wins in three starts after a Dubbo victory earlier this month was followed by a handy fourth in the Silver Goblet two-year-old feature last time out.
"She's so sensible and Dar does a great job with her," Bell-Pitomac said.
"She just keeps giving me that bit more which makes you think she's going to get better and better.
"She found the line better than the other day. She tired a little in the Goblet but hit the line well today and got to the line.
"It was a better finish and she's a bit more experienced so it was good."
Dawnstar ($7.50) was second on Sunday, edging out the fast-finishing Eagleworks ($31) in a photo.
Praline was originally set to race over 1200m at Coonamble last weekend but the washout there made Sunday's race the focus.
Bell-Pitomac has no doubt the 1200m or more will be no issue as Praline continues to develop.
"She run the 1100 out well today so it gives the indication she can get that bit further," she said.
"I think she'll keep improving with age and experience as well."