Hollywood star Chris Hemsworth congratulates apprentice jockey Courtney Bellamy after her first Saturday city win at Eagle Farm

Apprentice jockey Courtney Bellamy was left starstruck when she met Chris Hemsworth at Eagle Farm but the moment couldn’t top riding her first Saturday city winner.

Superstar actor Chris Hemsworth congratulates young jockey Courtney Bellamy on her first Saturday winner at Eagle Farm. Picture: Supplied

Coffs Harbour apprentice jockey Courtney Bellamy was not only celebrating her breakthrough Saturday city winner but was also starstruck to meet superstar actor Chris Hemsworth at Eagle Farm.

Hemsworth was at the races to celebrate the bucks party of his personal trainer Luke Zocchi, who even had a race named after him – the Luke Loves Maria Class 3 Plate.

Zocchi was in charge of getting Hemsworth’s “Thor body” in shape and he’s also worked with actors like Cate Blanchett and Liam Hemsworth.

Hemsworth and his security detail were nearby when Bellamy dismounted after riding Extra Manners to victory for her trainer father Brett.

“Hello,” a starstruck and shy Bellamy said to Hemsworth after she won the race named after his fitness trainer.

“Congratulations on your first Saturday winner,” Hemsworth replied, as the duo posed for a picture.

Courtney Bellamy wins at Eagle Farm on a Saturday for her dad Brett Bellamy on Extra Manners! @BrisRacingClubpic.twitter.com/Gw0RbcBMdb

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 14, 2024

The moment almost overshadowed what was another huge moment for 22-year-old Bellamy when she rode her first city Saturday winner as she rode Extra Manners to victory.

“You spin the wheel enough and your number has got to come up,” Brett Bellamy joked.

Courtney Bellamy told News Corp that riding her first Saturday city winner was still better than meeting heart-throb Hemsworth – but only just.

Extra Manners wins at Eagle Farm to give young jockey Courtney Bellamy a breakthrough Saturday win. Picture: Grant Peters/Trackside Photography

NOT QUITE SO EASY

David McColm’s $2m The Kosciuszko contender Far Too Easy was unplaced in his first run back from a brush with death but the trainer was still more than happy.

Far Too Easy, seen for the first time at the races since he almost died when critically ill from a bout of colitis, finished fourth in the Quality Handicap (1000m) at Eagle Farm which was won by Nashira ($17).

Far Too Easy had drifted noticeably by jump time, from $3.10 to $4.60.

Back last, he ran home well to be beaten less than a length and a half and McColm felt it was a good pipe-opener for next month’s Kosciuszko.

“He had to carry 61kg today and the track was pretty firm, so I thought it was a good effort and he tried so hard,” McColm said.

“If it was 1100m today, I would have been very confident.”

EAGLE FARM BACK

In the first race back at Eagle Farm after an eight-week hiatus, Toowoomba trained three-year-old Pope Cody announced himself as a talent when demolishing his opposition by 5½ lengths.

Trainer Cameron Richardson recently retired his stable star Zuma California but looks to have found his next good horse as Pope Cody ($3.50) sat at the back of the field and rounded them up easily in the 3YO Handicap over 1400m.

The colt is now likely to target the Toowoomba Guineas (1625m) on his home track in a fortnight.

“The more work you give him, the better he does,” Richardson said.

“Everyone always says that’s the sign of a good horse.

“The Toowoomba Guineas looks the logical race for him because there’s not much else around at the moment for three-year-olds who need a bit of ground.”

There were no complaints from jockeys about the return to racing at Eagle Farm, with all horses having a “sight” of the new “sight screen” which is designed to stop horses shying at a building at the 600m mark.

Heavenly! 😇

Pope Cody bolts in at Eagle Farm with @JimmyOrman in the saddle!@BrisRacingClubpic.twitter.com/sc8GBSe4jq

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 14, 2024

Originally published as Hollywood star Chris Hemsworth congratulates apprentice jockey Courtney Bellamy after her first Saturday city win at Eagle Farm