A RECENT Rockhampton treble has helped Justin Stanley widen the gap he holds over riding rivals in the provincial jockey's premiership.
Stanley, who is one of Queensland's busiest riders often leaving his Brisbane base for sorties to Central and North Queensland, pushed his 2020-21 season tally to 69 wins through the combined successes of Sunrise Dancer, Oswana and Attackabeel last Saturday.
The Adrian Coome-trained Sunrise Dancer (Dawn Approach IRE-Saltator) scored easily in the Ratings 0-65 Handicap (1200m), scooting to the line two lengths clear of its chasers.
Oswana (Whittington-Watch My Lips) gave Stanley an even easier time in the Three-Year-Old (1400m), eventually winning by three lengths in handy time (1min 23.86secs).
Youngster Attackabeel (Counterattack-Tia), trained by Clinton Taylor, rounded out the treble for Stanley when he sped over the 1050 metres in 60.96secs to win by nearly three lengths.
Stanley holds a margin of 15 wins on the riding table. Besides his 69 wins, Stanley has managed 58 placings and his mounts have amassed $1,083,025 in prize money since August 1.
He leads the way from Ryan Wiggins (54 wins, 55 placings, $955,675) while Kyle Wilson-Taylor (50, 51, $860,650), James Orman (32, 35, $589,825) and Tegan Harrison (37, 50, $675,350) complete the top five.
Evergreen Dan Ballard (18 wins, 24 placings and $148,980) is making the pace in the country jockey's premiership.
Ballard is ahead of Hannah Richardson (17 wins, 30 placings, $132,280), Dan McGillivray (16, 32, $156,525), Rebecca Wilson (16, 14, $99,270) and Matthew Gray (15, 33.5, $160,838).
Racing Queensland has approved country and regional meetings in Townsville and Sunshine Coast (night) on February 5. Dalby, Emerald and Toowoomba (night) race on Feb 6 and on Feb 7 Sunshine Coast will host a day program and Mackay races on Feb 9.