IN-FORM jockey Brendon McCoull shared a quartet of wins with trainers David and Scott Brunton at The TOTE Racing centre in Launceston on Wednesday night but it was his win aboard Not Guilty that evoked the most emotion.
Not Guilty produced a powerful finish to win the Maiden Plate over 1400 metres, scoring comfortably from Great White and outsider Master Alfred.
It was a tough win given the gelding was forced to race three-wide for the last 700 metres but it was more to do with the man who bred the gelding.
Not Guilty was bred by former Devonport Racing Club Chief Executive Officer Phillip Swinton who died suddenly last month.
The gelding’s part-owner Wayne Roser said it was clearly an emotional win and one that means a lot to many people, in particular Phillip’s family.
Not Guilty was having his fourth start this preparation. The Gary White-trained four-year-old resumed with an encouraging run in Hobart and followed up with two handy thirds.
Not Guilty was ridden by Brendon McCoull who said the gelded son of Mr Innocent was tough and he believes there should be at least another win kin him this time in.
Not Guilty was the first of five winners for McCoull but the multiple premiership-winning rider had the edge taken off his five-win haul when stewards suspended him for one meeting on a careless riding charge in race seven in which he guided the highly promising King Kalakaua to an impressive win.