IN-FORM jockey David Pires dominated the meting at Spreyton on Sunday emerging from the eight-race card with a treble.
Pires opened the day with a gold ride aboard the Darryl Horner-trained Loft that finally broke her maiden status.
Pires then guided the highly promising Mister John to victory in the class two handicap over 1150 metres before ending the day on a high with a win aboard Predator, also trained by Horner.
But what looked to be a good day at the office for the former Victorian ended up slightly sour courtesy of stewards suspending the rider for two meetings over his ride on Mister John.
Pires copped the suspension for a careless riding charge in that he allegedly tightened one horse, Tap It In (Stephen Maskiell) that subsequently tightened Baradin (Shannon Brazil) that had to be severely checked nearing the home turn.
Pires has been riding in Tasmania since 2000 when apprenticed to Longford trainer Ian Hay.
He had a great association with hay’s former star mare Dragilla that Pires partnered to victory in a Newmarket handicap and a Bow Mistress Stakes. He also had a winning relationship with Hay’s former smart juvenile Venus A Go Go.
“I had a lot of success when I was apprenticed to Ian so I owe a lot to him and that stable for my early success,’ Pires said.
Listen to Peter Staples’ interview with jockey David Pires – click here .