Robert Knight celebrated a winning double at Grafton on Monday after the Armidale trainer struck welcome success with Pressing Matters and China Grove.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mikayla Weir partnered Pressing Matters to win the Blue Dolphin Resort Benchmark 66 Handicap (2235m) while young Tamworth apprentice, Casey Waddell, combined with China Grove to win the Leah Kilner Leading Apprentice Maiden Plate (1725m).
Leah Kilner was to have ridden China Grove but was in isolation after being caught up in the Brisbane Covid-19 lockdown.
Casey Waddell was drafted in and the young Tamworth apprentice, apprenticed to Sue Grills in Tamworth, couldn't have ridden China Grove any better.
She said "the speed was on that really good" as she tracked and then ran down the two leaders.
He then fought on to beat Sir Angus narrowly.
"I knew he'd kick back," Casey Waddell added.
Robert Knight was delighted he did.
"We got him from Melbourne about 10 weeks ago," Robert said.
"Paid $13,000 for him so he's virtually paid for himself. Casey rode him a treat too. Took a sit and then he fought back really well.
A four-year-old gelding son of Skilled, China Grove was having his first start for Knight.
It was also his first start in nine goes.
Pressing Matters, in contrast, won his fifth race and his fourth for Knight in 37 starts since he purchased him from the then Darren Weir stables in late 2017.
"He's had a tendon injury," Robert said of the seven-year-old son of High Chapparal.
"Gave him a good spell, eight or 10 months. He fought on well too for Mikayla."
Knight has just four in work at Armidale and admits it has been tougher than ever racing against the big stables.
It's also been a long while since he claimed a winning double.
"Not since the good old days," he laughed.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
- Bookmark armidaleexpress.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter: @ArmidaleExpress
- Follow us on Instagram @armidale.express
- Follow us on Google News