BALLARAT jockey John Allen made a happy return to jumps racing when he netted his fourth Galleywood Hurdle victory in six years at the second day of the TAB May Racing Carnival on Wednesday.
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The win on top of the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Big Blue was the 34-year-old's third of the day's racing.
Big Blue finished the 3200-metre ahead of Eric Musgrove-trained pair Mr One Eleven and Lucques to gift the experienced jockey another victory in the race.
Allen, who equalled Craig Durden and Brad McLean with the most victories in the prestigious race, said he felt a bit distanced from the seven-year-old's preparations compared to his other three wins.
"The other horses I had a bit more to do with leading into the race and today was the first time I was sitting on the horse," he said.
"But it was great to get a win because I haven't ridden over jumps since Grand Annual (Steeplechase) day last year. He was a super horse and he jumped really well and did everything right."
Allen said his focus had shifted away from jumps racing in order to chase starts in flat races.
"I have been concentrating on the flats because there is more opportunities," he said.
"I'm concentrating on keeping my weight down but Warrnambool is the home of jumps racing and it's good to get back on the jumps here.
"When I came here first I predominantly was racing on the flats and this was probably the biggest meet of the year for me so I'm always going to try and come here and ride winners."
Allen said his day would have been a missed opportunity if he didn't collect a few wins.
"I had a good book of rides today and I would have been pretty disappointed if I didn't ride a couple of winners," he said.
"And I had some very good rides and some well fancied horses and it was good to get a few of them over the line.
"I have a good book of rides tomorrow as well with a horse in the (Warrnambool) Cup, who is the hot favorite, and I'll try and get the job done there."
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Sean Hardeman
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
