Two jockeys rode 400th career winners

ANDREW O’TOOLE

Courtesy of NT News

Photos by Caroline Camilleri

It was a milestone day at Fannie Bay on Saturday, when incredibly both Paul Shiers and Sonja Wiseman rode their 400th career winners.

Shiers started the party in the opener, the Silks Darwin Maiden Plate (1300m), when guiding second favourite The Kid, trained by Tayarn Halter, to a two-and-a-quarter-length win from top elect Cisalpine, with Laylah’s Wish, the long-time pacemaker, third.

The 50-year-old, who began his career as an apprentice some 34 years ago and had his first ride at Towong, Victoria, in 1988, has been a long-time leading rider in the Top End after making Darwin his home some 25 years ago.

It must be remembered that Shiers was also a successful rider over fences in Victoria, so the 400 wins does not include his jumps victories.

He rode his first winner in the Territory in February 1998, and his record in the majors – with the exception of the Darwin Cup, which has so far eluded him – is outstanding, with nine Darwin Guineas, seven NT Derbys, four Palmerston Sprints and a host of the major successes. The humble horseman is arguably riding as well as ever, and his performance to bring The Kid from many lengths off the pace to score is testament to his outstanding judgment of pace.

In the very next event, the Ladbroke It! Handicap, Wiseman joined the milestone theme when guiding her partner Tommy Logan’s horse, Blueant, to her 400th career success.

After sitting just behind the pacemaker Northern Factor, Blueant ranged up alongside with 500m to run and after a stirring home straight battle with Kirakat, got in the deciding stride to win by a short head. Consistent Champs D’Or close up third.

Read full article on NT News website here.