Teh Claims Double on Pair of Underdogs

Popular apprentice Isabella Teh celebrated a memorable  Melbourne Cup Day with a surprise winning double at Cluden Park yesterday.

Teh is tracking towards her best season to date after wins on underdogs Toscavale Road and Ashton Blair on the five-race card.

Toscavale Road’s win ended a four year wait for a maiden win for the ghostly grey’s owner-breeder Bernie Byrnes, while Ashton Blair upstaged his better fancied rivals in the open sprint.

Teh was delighted to strike a blow for the battlers.

“I like getting a win for the smaller stables. They work just as hard as the bigger stables and it’s good to get a win for them too,” Teh said.

The former Brisbane-based rider, who stands just 153cm tall and weighs 50kg, is making the most of her relocation to Townsville this year.

Teh has already ridden eight winners this season and is well on the way to a career best season after linking with Townsville trainer Sarah Acornley and jockey husband Carl Spry in the middle of the year.

“I’m really enjoying it up here and I’m getting a lot of support,” 26-year-old Teh said.

“Sarah has been great and Carl has been a big help. He tutors me a lot which is what I need.

“The travel took a bit to get used to at first – everywhere is three and four hours to get to. But I’m pretty good with it now.

“I’m fitting in pretty well with other riders and having a bit of fun and I’m pretty happy with how I’m going.”

The three-kilo claimer has ridden nine winners for the season and is well on her way to topping her career best tally of 18 wins two seasons ago.

Toscavale Road, who had gone winless in 30 starts, gave Teh an armchair ride before dashing to a five length win for trainer Errol Sewell in the Brown Brothers Mdn Hcp (1200m).

Settling back off the pace, Toscavale Road cruised to the lead at the 200m and bolted clear to win .

Ashton Blair started the fifth pick in betting in the Travel Associates Open Hcp (1000m) but upstaged El Shaday and Funky Music to win by three quarters of a length.

Last year’s Townsville Cup winner Fortification turned in an eye-catching fourth in his first run back from a 12-month injury enforced lay-off.

Veteran jockey Frank Edwards shared riding honours with his junior colleague Teh after landing a winning double of his own.

Edwards scored on the Maree Young-trained Higher Love in the TAB BM 58 Hcp (1200m) and Just a Love Song for Alby Molino in the Mitavite 0-65 Hcp (1000m).

Pictured: Toscavale Road (inside) runs onto third at Cluden Park late last year. 

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