Echuca apprentice jockey Rose Hammond secured her 15th career winner on Tuesday.
Hammond produced a brilliant front-running ride aboard Equine Philosopher in the $27,000 Hygain Winners Choice Benchmark 58 Handicap (2100m) at the Ballarat Synthetic Track.
Equine Philosopher ($7.50 into $4) showed great tenacity over the concluding stages to hold off the fast-finishing pair of Robe Raider ($10) and Power Of One ($11), scoring by a long-head.
Hammond has built up a terrific affinity with the five-year-old son of Unencumbered, trained at Bendigo by Jarrod Robinson.
Tuesday’s success was her third aboard Equine Philosopher from just five rides.
“It is very special, he’s the first one for me with three winners,” Hammond said post-race.
“I’m very thankful to Jarrod and the owners for sticking with me.”
Hammond certainly has the key to Equine Philosopher, with Tuesday’s win in very similar fashion to previous successes the pair enjoyed at Donald and Horsham.
“He’s such a tough, honest horse,” she said.
“You’ve got to keep him rolling along ... he doesn’t have much of a sprint, but he’s very tough and keeps fighting to the line.”
Hammond is just 166 rides into her promising career in the saddle, with the 15 winners complemented by 25 minor placings.
To date, four winners have come at her home track, three in Kerang, two at Kilmore and on the Ballarat Synthetic Track, and one each at Bairnsdale, Donald, Horsham and Seymour.