FORMER star apprentice Ismail Toker celebrated the opening day of the new racing season with a bonanza haul of four winners on the Luxbet All Weather at Devonport yesterday.
Toker, who was the state’s leading apprentice two years ago, began his day with a clever ride aboard Sunset Party to win a maiden and followed up with a last-stride win aboard Princess Atilla for veteran Spreyton mentor Michael Trinder.
He then teamed up with is former mentor Barry Campbell to score aboard $46 outsider Gwemrae in a class three handicap (1350m) but he saved his best ride for last to win on Rougeau for Glenn Stevenson in a class one handicap over 1000m.
It was Toker’s best day at the office since he started riding in Tasmania over three years ago. He arrived in Australia from Turkey in 2010 with the hope of building a career in the industry. With five years of experience riding in his homeland, he began riding trackwork for David Hayes and he did that for almost three years before making his way to Tasmania.
He has since invested in a kebab take-away business in Devonport which from all reports is flourishing, but he has no intention of giving up on his riding career.
Yesterday’s meeting was part of Jockeys Celebration Day and nobody celebrated more than Toker.
Jockey Celebration Day (JCD) is held nationally on the first Saturday (Sunday in Tasmania) in August each year and celebrates the achievements of former and current jockeys, commemorates those who have lost their lives and raises awareness and funds for the National Jockeys’ Trust (NJT) to help support injured or ill jockeys and their families.