Four timer for Cooper at Ascot Park

[Wandering Eyes]

Donovan Cooper has made quite the impression in the southern jockey ranks since he moved down from the North Island earlier this year, and he continued his good run of form at Ascot Park on Saturday when scoring a four timer.

The expat South African’s previous best day in the saddle was a treble for Kelvin Tyler at Wingatui, and he was once again in the winner’s stall for the Riverton trainer on Saturday.

The Canterbury-based hoop capped a memorable day aboard Reprobate for Tyler, who he was riding for the first time in the Southland Honda Handicap (1600m).

“That (Reprobate) is the one that had me the most on my nerves because coming into the straight I had looked for a run and a gap opened up in front of me and he hesitated, so I opted to put him back on the rail and then that gap opened up and he was willing to take it and accelerated through it beautifully,” Cooper said.

Cooper began the meeting with a bang, taking out the first two races for local trainer Robert Dennis aboard Medina and On Song respectively.

“Medina was coming into the race really fresh, which was absolutely fantastic,” he said. “For her to accelerate like that off being a bit keen in behind the pace early on was great, she stormed home beautifully.

“I have always rated On Song. When I cantered her down to the start, she felt like the day I won with her at Riverton.”

Cooper was hopeful aboard his other winning mount, Reverberations, with trainer John Blackadder oozing confidence ahead of the World Solar Handicap (2200m).

“It was my first time riding him,” Cooper said. “Mr Blackadder was very confident in the parade ring, all he told me was to find the right run and it panned out exceptionally well.”

Cooper was rapt to get the quartet of wins, but said his feat took plenty of time to sink in.

“It had only sunk in on Sunday afternoon when I was driving back from Invercargill,” he said. “I just wanted to go out there, have fun, and be confident. It was great to get the results for the trainers who have supported me, trainers are the backbone to our careers.”

Cooper is lauding his move south, believing it has helped his career, which had stagnated in the north after coming back from injury last year.

“It’s been an absolute brilliant move,” he said. “I still feel like I have got a lot to learn in racing, but it is going well down here.

“It does look like I am (permanently based in South Island) now. I am with Ross Beckett, he and the Equine Academy have an agreement in place for me to be under him.”

Cooper has 16 wins to his credit so far this season, placing him fifth on the apprentice jockeys’ premiership, and he is keen to add to that tally at Ashburton on Wednesday.

“I am one short of a full book,” he said. “I have got quite a few nice rides, I quite like Naval Command (in the Carston Racing Remembering Megan 1400).

“He has come off a break. His last run was exceptional – he was very green in the early stages, and he romped home, so I was quite ecstatic with him.”

View the full article