Milestone for talented young reinsman

TALENTED young reinsman Harrison Ross registered a personal milestone last night.

Making the trip to Club Menangle, Ross notched his first driving double at Australia’s premier track.

Rapt with the result, Ross hopes to keep the winning feeling rolling when he returns to Club Menangle on Tuesday.

“I was happy to get one winner, then absolutely thrilled to get a double,” Ross said. “I gave them both a decent chance depending on how the race was run, but it all worked out great.

“I’ll be back there on Tuesday to drive Cormoran Strike in the second and he should go alright.”

As for his moment in the spotlight, Ross opened his account when Haveyoucheckin proved too good in 1:51.3 over a mile.

After travelling two-back in the running line, Haveyoucheckin finished stoutly to score by three metres from Double Act, with Business In Heaven a metre-and-a-half away third.

“He has been going well, but just not getting the right run,” Ross said. “He got a soft trip and was able to use his high speed to his advantage.”

Trained by prominent horseman Brad Hewitt, Haveyoucheckin took his record to 15 wins and 14 placings from 65 starts.

Ross then combined with the Hewitt-trained Isla Rochelle, which continued her impressive form with an easy win in mares’ company.

Settled at the tail of the field from barrier nine as Jilliby Illuminate worked to the lead, Isla Rochelle was four-deep around the home turn.

Unleashing a strong sprint, the daughter of Sweet Lou dashed to a three-and-a-half metre win from Jilliby Illuminate, with Ultimate Diva a short half-head way third.

“I knew she would take some beating,” Ross said. “She is flying at the moment, and in a field of eight, she was never going to be far away from them.”

Covering the mile in 1:53, Isla Rochelle claimed her third win from her last four starts.