Racing: Weight loss worthwhile for Riddell

Jimmy Choux holds off Icepin and Maradona to win the Hawkes Bay Guineas at Hastings on Saturday. Photo / APN

If you still wonder whether Jonathan Riddell's tough diets to come back to flat riding from being a heavier jumps jockey have been worth it, you didn't see the beam he projected at Hastings on Saturday.

It started when he twice waved his whip just after he and Jimmy Choux flashed over the line, classy winners of the $85,000 Hawkes Bay Guineas.

And it continued well past weighing in, denting only slightly when told he was wanted in the inquiry room.

He knew what for.

Riddell was charged with causing interference to We Can Say It Now 1200m out, a check that cost the Cambridge filly several lengths.

The wide grin reappeared when the JCA fined Riddell only $100, there having been found to be contributing factors in the interference.

There were similar expressions on the countenance of trainer John Bary and his local Hawkes Bay owner Richard Wood.

Bary's victory with stablemate The Hombre in the Rough Habit Plate in Brisbane this winter ranks as the only comparable thrill for the 40-year-old former international polo player.

"I can't tell you how satisfying this is," said Bary.

Wood bred Jimmy Choux and said straight after Saturday win that only the lure of the $1 million stake for the 2000 Guineas at Riccarton next month has prevented him from selling the horse.

"I've had very good offers for this horse and I've turned them down because I'm looking forward to Riccarton."

Icepin showed again he is under-rated in finishing second and Maradona put his hand up in taking third. Cellarmaster was probably hampered by his wide barrier and was safely held for fourth.

Racing is well known for looking after its own. It did a great job with a charity function at the Group 1 Bar in Cambridge yesterday for Ross "Pokey" Harwood, a long-time part of the track management staff at the Cambridge training track, who was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer.

A charity auction yesterday raised $8750 for the popular identity.