Jason Holder was able to reduce the margin on Jake Toeroek in the Metropolitan Jockey Premiership battle after a riding double at Murray Bridge on Saturday.
Toeroek was on the board early when well-fancied three-year-old In The Room was successful for the Richard and Chantelle Jolly stable on debut before Holder combined with Victorian pair Wolflands and Wisaka for a double on the reduced six-race card.
The Lindsay Park prepared Wolflands landed some good bets to power over the top of rivals early in the day before Wisaka recorded his first win for the Aaron Purcell stable and also landed some solid market support over the 2500m trip.
The famous colours of the Smith family were also to the fore when consistent mare Exalted Dame was successful.
The mare had 16 runs in 2023, winning four races and placed on six occasions, before kicking off 2024 in style with a gritty win with apprentice Brittney Wong in the saddle.
Jon O’Connor said it was great to have Helen Smith on course and the colours continued success while praising the mare’s durability.
“They’ve been a real institution in South Australia for a number of years, the Smith family, these colours and the Exalted name, it’s great to see that carry on,’’ O’Connor said.
“I keep saying I’ve got to tip her out (for a spell) at some stage.
“She just loves work, loves racing, she’s a tough little thing. She just keeps bouncing back!
“She’s a lovely mare to train, she hasn’t got any vices, and you fall in love with those sorts of horses,’’ he said.
O’Connor said it was another timely win for Wong, her second city success.
“She had her first city winner here a couple of weeks ago, it’s important she carries on and gets some momentum up,’’ O’Connor said.
Holder carried his winning form to Strathalbyn on Sunday to claim the opening race by 5.2 lengths aboard the Phillip Stokes-trained Global Turn.
Apprentice Caitlin Tootell continued her good form in the saddle winning aboard Tippa for Shayne Cahill while Alan Lai had his first since returning from injury when Aban scored for the Andrew Gluyas stable.
