By ROY ASPINALL
IRISH jumps jockey Tom Ryan rode his way into the history books with a great double when he took out the two feature races on Saturday on the Sportingbet Park, Sandown Lakeside track.
In only his second season of riding in Australia, Ryan became the fifth jockey to win both the $101,500 Australian Hurdle (3400 metres) and the $101,500 Australian Steeplechase (3900m) in the one day. Both events are listed as premier jumping events for Australia.
The only other jockeys to complete the double are Bob Walsh (1975), Nick Harnett (1985), Jamie Evans (1993) and Adrian Garraway (1996).
“I think I’m here to stay now,” Ryan said. “This is super. A couple more days like this would be great.”
On Saturday Ryan won The Australian Steeplechase on Megapixel and completed the double in the next event, The Australian Hurdle, on Kirribilli Gold.
Ryan, who is turning 28, lacks nothing in experience, having ridden in the UK’s Grand National and at the Cheltenham Jumping Festival in England, where he was a winner.
He is quickly establishing himself in Victoria, last winter winning the Grand National Steeplechase on Man of Class. Last month be won the Brierly Steeplechase at Warrnambool on Fareer.
Both of Saturday’s events are legs of the $2.26 million JJHoulahan Jumps Championship.
Saturday’s double thrust Ryan into third spot on the jockey standings for the championship.
Ryan led all the way on Megapixel to score by eight lengths from Roodyvoo, with 3? lengths to Al Karam third.
It was a more patient ride on Kirribilli Gold, but Ryan took control turning for home and the mare backed up her excellent flat form by racing clear to score by 2? lengths from Seeking The Silver, with 2? lengths to Tuscan Fire third.
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