Jockey Luke Dittman wins four races at the Gold Coast Turf Club

LUKE Dittman’s ambitions of challenging Ryan Plumb for the jockeys premiership have taken a boost after winning four races at the Gold Coast.

LUKE Dittman’s ambitions of challenging Ryan Plumb for the jockeys premiership have taken a boost after winning four races at the Gold Coast.

Dittman won nearly half of the races on the 10-race program at Aquis Park on Saturday including victories on Alicia Willick’s Last Light, the Gillian Heinrich-trained duo Depths Below and Catalina Miss and Les Kelly’s Smart As Attack.

It has taken Dittman’s season tally to eight wins, just three behind leading hoop and defending champion Ryan Plumb raced Freddie Fox Trot at Doomben on Saturday.

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“The season has been pretty good so far, especially at the Gold Coast,” Dittman said.

“We have had a few meetings washed out and it was good to get back in the winners circle.

“I’m still a few behind Ryan but it would be nice to go neck-and-neck with him at the end of the season.”

Jockey Luke Dittman won four races at the Gold Coast Turf Club on Saturday, October 20, 2018. Pictured on the Les Kelly-trained Smart As Attack. Picture credit: Greg Irvine (Magic Millions).

Dittman knew he was poised to have talented runners under him going into Saturday’s meeting. His only doubts came from the track and how it would hold up in the wet.

“It’s a good day when you get one winner, let alone four,” Dittman said.

“I knew I had good rides. I thought the track might have been a bit of an issue before I actually got to the races.

Jockey Luke Dittman won four races at the Gold Coast Turf Club on Saturday, October 20, 2018. Pictured on the Gillian Heinrich-trained Depths Below. Picture credit: Greg Irvine (Magic Millions).

“I was wondering how that was going to play out but it was in pretty good condition for the amount of rain we have had and it held up well for 10 races.

“I just needed a bit of luck to ride four winners and I got it so it was a great day.”

Dittman said he made it his priority to stay near front of the field going into the straight because few were able to make much ground in the wet.

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“ Usually when the track is like that its hard to make ground up from behind,” Dittman said.

“The sectionals late were slower than a good track with the way they were digging into it a bit.

“It was always a good position to have horses who were front running rides.

“I think most of my winners came from the first three. To have the field behind you about two or three lengths is a big help as you get towards the finish.”