Jockey Jason Maskiell has 490 career winners to his credit, and his strike rate is 100 per cent on gallopers trained by George Osborne. Two rides for two wins.
Maskiell won on $101 chance Melisandre Rossa at Kyneton on October 13 at his first ride for the local trainer.
Osborne indicated then he would be looking to engage the 30-year-old jockey for future rides, and this occurred at Avoca Cup Day on Saturday.
Maskiell rode topweight Cienfuegos to victory in the Unplug in the Pyrenees BM52 Handicap over 1200m.
Starting at $6 at his second run back from a four months’ spell, the five-year-old known as ‘Hippo’ in the stables bounced to the front and was rated to perfection by Maskiell, with the outcome never in doubt.
Crossing the finishing line, Cienfuegos scored his second race win from 15 starts, having nearly three lengths to spare over second-placed Lighting Rider. A good run to carry 62kg to victory.
CHILDS SIDELINED
Apprentice Tayla Childs, who has been getting plenty of rides for the Osborne stable, is sidelined as the result of sustaining a broken ankle at the Kyneton meeting on October 13.
Childs was dislodged from Uptown Lola on the way to the 1200m start, and rolled her ankle.
She rode the mare into second place, and followed with another second on Toolbar, also trained by Osborne.
A medical examination confirmed her blue and swollen ankle was actually broken, requiring surgery.
Childs has ridden 12 winners from 78, and it is not known how long before she can resume race riding.
CLOSE IN SEYMOUR CUP
The $200,000 Seymour Cup, a Listed race, was run at Kilmore on Sunday.
Although there was just seven runners, the feature event provided a thrilling finish.
The Cup winner was All Too Huiying, ridden by Michael Poy, and trained by Phillip Stokes, with favourite Gold Fields runner-up.
