By Glenn Davis
NSW has shot to the top of the UBET Origin Jockeys Challenge after day two of the series at Doomben on Saturday.
Team NSW became joint leaders with New Zealand after the third heat which was taken out by Tye Angland on Realing in the Class 2 Plate (1600m).
Tasmania later collected its first points of the series when Craig Newitt booted home the Kris Lees-trained Singing in heat four, the Class Six Plate (2000m).
Kirini was second for Mark Du Plessis and the All Stars team while Michael Rodd collected valuable points to push NSW into the outright lead after finishing third on Sheza Lily.
At the close of day two, NSW was on 15 points, one point clear of New Zealand while Victoria was third on 13 points.
The All Stars and Tasmania were next with 12 points with South Australia on 10 and Queensland last with eight points.
The final day of the Origin Jockeys Challenge will be run at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday.
Angland put NSW level with New Zealand with 12 points after three heats with a dashing ride on the Matt Dunn-trained Realing.
Realing came from near last in the early stages to edge out Chamalu, ridden by the All Stars’ Robbie Fradd, by a neck.
South Australia’s Jamie Kah picked up points for finishing third on Sharp Speedo, a further 1-1/4 lengths away.
Dunn heaped praise on Angland after he lifted the four-year-old to his third win in 11 starts.
“It was a great ride and Tye gave him every chance,” Dunn said.
Angland said he was hopeful NSW could win the Origin Challenge and predicted a bright future for Realing.
“The penny hasn’t dropped with him yet so it’s good to see him winning,” Angland said.
“We get our arses kicked in rugby league every year so we’re hoping to get up in this Origin series.”
Dunn rated Realing a Queensland Derby prospect last winter but didn’t proceed to the Group 1 feature.
“He just didn’t get the distances to go on to the Derby and he’s purely a 1600 metre horse,” Dunn said.
“I’m going to check now to see if he can get into the QTIS Magic Millions race now next month.”
Racing Queensland webnews December 9