Todd Pannell scores hat-trick as Adelaide jockeys’ premiership race heats up

Gun hoop Todd Pannell has ramped up his bid for the Adelaide jockeys’ premiership, notching a treble at Murray Bridge on Saturday.

Todd Pannell salutes after winning aboard Smokin' Princess at Murray Bridge. Picture: The Rising Sun Photography

Gun hoop Todd Pannell has ramped up his bid for the Adelaide jockeys’ premiership, notching a treble at Murray Bridge on Saturday.

Pannell piloted Snore Room, Geminga and Smokin’ Princess to victory on the ten-race card, taking him to 37 metro wins for the 2023-24 season, only four wins behind premiership-leader Jake Toeroek (41).

“It could be catch up day today,” Pannell said, who is a two-time metro premiership-winner.

“It (premiership race) is getting close now.”

Pannell’s hat-trick sees the premiership battle heat up into a three-way go ahead of its final two months, wrapping up on July 31, with veteran hoop Jason Holder also among the hopes with 35 winners for the season.

Both Toeroek and Holder were unable to add to their tallies on Saturday, but came close – nosed out in runner-up finishes.

Oh my goodness, Let's Get Down! 🚀

His last 100m was sizzling 🔥 @[e-mail]/NPWsuEyOG7

— Racing.com (@Racing) May 25, 2024

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It was a pleasing day for connections of Let’s Get Down, who had teased with five runner-up performances since a debut win at Pakenham last year, the gelding breaking through for an elusive second win in a Benchmark 68 3yo Handicap.

Sweating on a run upon straightening, Lachlan Neindorf steered the Phillip Stokes-trained gelding to the middle of the track, unleashing a race-winning sprint that would overhaul Walk Like An Angel.

Assistant trainer Tommy Stokes believed the win could be the catalyst for the galloper – who was a $160,000 purchase at the 2022 Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sale – to go to another level.

“He showed a lot of promise early days, but struggled to get that second win on the board, we know he’s got ability – I think he’ll gain a lot of confidence out of that,” Stokes said.

“He’ll stay in Adelaide, go through his grades, I really think he will go through his grades too, I like the horse – he’s one to watch.”

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In-form mare Geminga made it back-to-back wins for local trainer Gary Boyce, looming up under a hold from Pannell with 200m to travel before nabbing Sunzou in the shadows of the post.

Bulls On Parade ($34) was another galloper that hadn’t saluted since his debut but notched a second win at odds for Gary and Dean Alexander, leading all the way for jockey Callan Murray to hold off a charging Chipson in a Benchmark 64 1400m.

Racegoers had to wait until race nine, a Benchmark 82 1200m, to see the most impressive win of the day, with Neil Farley riding Press Down to a dominant three-length win for trainer Peter Hardacre.

Press Down goes into overdrive mode & bolts in at Murray Bridge 🔥 pic.twitter.com/90TUwzGyID

— Racing.com (@Racing) May 25, 2024

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After contesting back-to-back Group 3 races, including a third-placed finish behind Group 1 winners Benedetta and Climbing Star in the RN Irwin Stakes (1100m), the gelding relished a drop in grade.

There was an event spread of winners among the trainers on the Murray Bridge card, with South African-born Murray notching a double aboard impressive filly Dolcemente and Bulls On Parade.

Originally published as Todd Pannell scores hat-trick as Adelaide jockeys’ premiership race heats up