Brittney Wong finished 2023 on a high landing her first metropolitan victory aboard Winning Revolution at Morphettville on Saturday.
The pair were placed at city level at Murray Bridge seven days earlier, the win a popular one for trainer Jon O’Connor’s Morphettville stable.
“I’d say this is the highlight of my year seeing her ride her first city winner, I’m absolutely wrapped for her,’’ O’Connor said.
“It will mean a lot to everyone at the stable, she’s such a much loved young person,’’ he said.
Wong said it was a relief to finally break through in town after a couple of near misses since making her city debut back in November.
“It’s such a big thrill,’’ Wong said.
Will Price joined his younger brother Ben in outriding his metropolitan claim on the final city meeting of the season and fittingly aboard a horse who had provided him his maiden Group 3 success and first Adelaide Cup ride in Canford.
“It’s felt like forever,’’ Price said.
“I thought I was going to do it pretty quickly, it all got pretty steady and had a lot going on off the track that didn’t help.
“It’s good to do it on him, it’s good to see him do it again,’’ he said.
Jacob Opperman claiming riding honours on the day with a double aboard Test The Law for Matt Seyers before Mighty Sapphire continued the brilliant end to 2023 for the Aaron Bain and Ned Taylor stable.
John Dunn and Krystal Bishop had a massive end to the year at the final meeting of 2023 at Port Lincoln on Sunday, winning half of the eight race card.
The day included two quinellas while talented apprentice’s Rochelle Milnes and Alana Livesey shared riding honours with a double each.
Milnes kick started 2024 in style winning the opening race of the year at Murray Bridge on Monday aboard The Sting for George Karayannis before getting talented mare Second To Nun back into winning form for the Will Clarken and Niki O’Shea stable.
Jacob Opperman also grabbing himself a riding double with Chelsea Cube and Sir Reginald in combination with the Searle/Callanan stable.
Jess Eaton also had plenty of reasons to celebrate the new year landing her first win since returning from injury aboard In The Darkness for local horseman Matt Seyers.
