Racing: Leading rider notches 4 more

Punters had good fortune following champion jockey Lisa Cropp in riding action at Avondale yesterday.

Cropp started the day on 171 wins and was quickly into rhythm winning aboard Louise's Gold (race four), Shanamann (race five), Expectalite (race seven) and Talladega (race nine).

In the final event, punters heavily supported Cropp on the Steve Autridge and Graeme Rogerson-trained Fire Song but this combination failed to fire, finishing in eighth position.

The race was taken out by Mandana the first New Zealand-trained winner for the former leading Australian trainer, Russell Cameron.

You had to be on-course to see Mandana win as she was taken to the extreme outside fence of the track at the top of the home stretch and was out of camera shot.

The 4-year-old mare was fresh-up following a nine-month spell but paraded in magnificent order before the race.

Cropp closed the day with 175 wins and showed her balance in the saddle in testing track conditions to kick home winners from either in front or well off the pace.

The champion jockey produced a stunning ride on Talladega, coming from last with 800 metres remaining to storm home through the middle of the field and beat Flux Capacitor by a long neck.

A further long neck away in third position was Balinova.

The 3-year-old filly has been a solid performer for the Cambridge-based training partnership of Alan Jones and Brett McDonald scoring two wins and two minor placings from 10 starts.

Heavy track specialist Ben Sparta carried the topweight of 57kg in the hands of Rogan Norvall to win the $14,000 Fruit World 1400.

The 8-year-old has an exceptional career record in heavy track conditions - five wins and seven minor placings from 12 starts - and registered a gallant half-head victory over James Scott.

A further length away in third position was Devonport Lad.

Cropp combined with Expectalite to take out the other feature event - the $18,000 Foley Memorial - scoring by three and a quarter lengths over Millnorm with a further two lengths back to King Keitel (third).

The 5-year-old indicated that a return to winning form would not be far away after finishing an eye-catching second at his last start.

Expectalite has been a useful enough performer for Takanini trainer Michael Lawlor, scoring five wins and 11 minor placings from 32 starts.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY