Racegoers at Swifts Creek last Saturday witnessed an elite sportsmen at the master of his powers.
Ex-New Zealand picnic jockey, Shaun Cooper, rode the winner of five of the six races, in the process registering his 200th career win.
The Swifts Creek meeting was the final picnic meeting of the season, which saw the popular Cooper bank his fourth consecutive jockeys premiership, finishing the season with 40 wins from an impressive 128 rides.
Cooper finished 19 wins ahead of his nearest opposition, Dylan Dean, who had a great season finishing with 21 wins, while Grant Seccombe, Jack Virgona and the emerging Sophie Clayfield all had 13 victories.
Cooper went to the meeting with a full book of rides and never in his wildest dreams thought he would finish with five winners.
“I’ve ridden four winners in a day, but a hell of lot has to go right to get five,” Cooper said.
Cooper saluted on Wild Canary ($1.50), Starlight Glow ($1.60) and Wilma Wombat ($3.50) for leading trainer and his biggest supporter, Seymour trainer, Don Dwyer, who was again crowned leading picnic trainer with 18 wins.
“For Don to also win the premiership was great. He is my biggest supporter so for him to take it out alongside me was pretty special. It was close all season between Don and Troy Kilgower (13 wins) so that was a thrill to help him get over the line,” Cooper said.
Cooper also saluted on Monolink for Cranbourne trainer, David Noonan and put the icing on the celebratory cake, winning the 128th running of the Tambo Valley Cup on Laststrikeyourout for Mornington trainer, Nicole Dickson.
Cooper’s other mount on the program, Kulina, finished a close second to local favourite, Doctor Coto who went on his winning way, taking out the 1200 metre handicap for trainer, Rob Gillahan and jockey Caitlin King.
Cooper will now spend the off season with a three-week trip to the UK booked but is already looking forward to next picnic season.
“I’ll soon start counting down for the season to start again,” Cooper said.
