Penza Rides Group Card at Newcastle

In an amazing feat, jockey Jeff Penza has ridden the winners of all three Group 3 races at Newcastle, north of Sydney, at cumulative fixed odds of more than 2100/1. Penza’s fortunes started in the Gr3 Tibbie Stakes (1400m) where he piloted $9 chance Madam Legend (I Am Invincible) for trainer Les Bridge and Hong Kong owner Bon Ho. Just 35 minutes later, Penza struck again, this time aboard one of the lesser fancied of the Chris Waller stable’s quartet. The Highclere Australia-campaigned Great House (Galileo) set sail for home early in the Gr3 Newcastle Gold Cup (2300m) at around $13. Although a hattrick appeared decidedly unlikely for Penza, who was engaged to ride Ashman (Magnus) for trainer Kim Waugh in the Gr3 Cameron Handicap (1500m), his catch-me-if-you-can tactics on the rail where the going seemed best proved a masterstroke, with the winner refusing to concede at $18.

Jeff Penza wins his third of three consecutive Newcastle Gr1s (pic: Steve Hart)