Home

Albany trainer Indianna Weinert and rising apprentice jockey Holly Nottle clinch double successes in style

Headshot of Cameron Newbold
Cameron NewboldAlbany Advertiser
Nakita Riordan wins the TABtouch - Have You Got The Touch Maiden (1000m) aboard the Indianna Weinert-trained Nicconami.
Camera IconNakita Riordan wins the TABtouch - Have You Got The Touch Maiden (1000m) aboard the Indianna Weinert-trained Nicconami. Credit: Laurie Benson

Albany trainer Indianna Weinert enjoyed another profitable day at the races, winning her first two outings at the Percy Spencer track on Friday.

Outsider Nicconami, with Natika Riordan on board, won the TABtouch – Have You Got The Touch Maiden (1000m) opener before Lady Coco followed up in the Wellington And Reeves Maiden (1230m) with Weinert regular Austin Galati in the saddle.

Nicconami finished just over a length clear of Holly Watson on Lovin’ On Me, with rising apprentice Holly Nottle close up on Miss Finkmeyer in third.

Nakita Riordan brings Nicconami back to scale.
Camera IconNakita Riordan brings Nicconami back to scale. Credit: Laurie Benson

Nottle also enjoyed her afternoon, notching two victories, claiming the Swan Draught Handicap on Rebelnado and then clinching the last race of the day, booting home Village Girl.

Lady Coco raced wide for the majority of the race, pulling clear of a tight field in the final furlong to give Weinert an early double on the day.

Weinert paid tribute to apprentice jockey Riordan after Nicconami’s win — having pondered before the race if the distance was right for the four-year-old mare.

Indianna Weinert is all smiles after an early double.
Camera IconIndianna Weinert is all smiles after an early double. Credit: Laurie Benson

“Nicconami was a thought in progress about distance, but with the drop back it was the right decision to gain a super win with our super apprentice onboard,” she posted on social media.

It was a maiden victory for Lady Coco, she said, before adding she expected big things in the future.

“Lady Coco broke her maiden in style with Austin aboard — hands and heels to the line,” she said.

Lady Coco sprints clear to win the Wellington And Reeves Maiden (1230m).
Camera IconLady Coco sprints clear to win the Wellington And Reeves Maiden (1230m). Credit: Laurie Benson

“There’s plenty more to come with this mare.”

Weinert’s Mister Popcorn was second in the Swan Draught Handicap (1920m) and Astonisher was runner-up in the Merry Christmas To All From The ARC Handicap.

Despite carrying 63kg, Oxbridge took the ARC Celebrates 50 Years at the Percy Spencer Racecourse Handicap ahead of Flick the Switch, ridden by Tash Faithfull.

Claiming apprentice Tiana Murray rode the Stephen Sheehy-trained Oxbridge who led from start to finish up the heavy impost, winning by almost two lengths.

Fantaxtic claimed race four for local trainer Paul Hunter and Sharon Miller prepared Lady Ducati to win race six.

Murray was suspended for 10 days for careless riding on Oxbridge while fellow hoop Luke Campbell was reprimanded for failing to ride Tango Rhythm out in race two.

Riders Alex Hearn ($200) and Rosie Mahony ($150) copped whip breach fines and trainer Samantha Faithfull was fined $100 for incorrectly presenting Flick The Switch with blinkers in race five.

Austin Galati returns to scale on Lady Coco.
Camera IconAustin Galati returns to scale on Lady Coco. Credit: Laurie Benson

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails