In Brief
- Brandon Louis snares first winner for his master.
- Kohima breaks through for deserving win.
- Thompson's plan pays off.
Apprentice Brandon Louis has made quite an impact since arriving at Cameron Thompson’s stables earlier his year, but surprisingly it was not until Sunday in Hobart that he rode a winner for his master Cameron Thompson.
Louis, who hails from Mauritius, teamed up with the consistent Kohima to snare his first win for Cameron Thomson Racing and it took every ounce of his strength to secure the victory.
Kohima had been placed at his previous five starts tis preparation, so the Kuroshio gelding was worthy of a win.
“Kohima has been very consistent this season and he deserved the win, but it also was big riding my first winner for the stable,” Louis said.
“The horse was strong at the end when they were coming at us.
“I’ve been working very hard for this (first winner for the stable) and it’s nice to finally get the win for Cameron (Thompson).”
Louis is lying seventh on the jockey’s premiership table with 11 wins and 22 minor placings for stake earnings of just over $200,000.
Thompson said he had been chasing the Tasbred bonus races with Kohima, but the gelding kept running into one or two better on the day.
“The horse and the owners needed a win, so instead of running in the Tasbred Bonus race today, we ran in the other 1100-metre maiden and it’s paid off,” Thompson said.
“Even though the Tasbred bonus race fell away at the end (scratchings) I am glad I stuck with the decision to go to this race.
“It was also great for Brandon to finally ride a winner for us.
“He is a hard worker and such a wonderful human being.”
Louis allowed Kohima to race outside of the leader Coronation Doris to the home turn where he called on the gelding for an effort.
Kohima ($3.60) responded well and forged to the lead and under strong riding from Louis, he dug deep and staved off a wall of challengers to win by a half-length from Red October ($26) with Fighting Frank ($6.50) and the luckless Reddisun ($12) dead-heating for third a short half-head away.
Kohima has had six starts this season for a win and five minor placings for stake earnings of just over $25,000.
Watch the replay of Kohima breaking through for his maiden win.