Condon up and running in Perth

Davy Condon rode his first winner as stable jockey to Nicky Richards when opening his account on Premier Dane at Perth.

The Irish rider, who succeeded Tony Dobbin on his retirement at the end of last season, showed why he was handed the plum job by the Greystoke trainer.

He got the best out of Premier Dane (2-1), who had not won for more than two years.

Condon coaxed the six-year-old to outbattle the favourite Ellerslie Tom by a length and a quarter in the Renault UK Ltd Novice’s Chase.

Condon, second jockey to Ruby Walsh at Willie Mullins’ stable in Co Carlow, follows a long line of big names to have held the position. His predecessors include Neale Doughty, Jonjo O’Neill and Ron Barry.

“It’s nice to get the first winner out of the way. He put his head down and battled well and I’m delighted with the win,” said Condon.

“The good, strong pace suited me. The last two times he just didn’t get home. It was my first ride at Perth. I had a nice walk round and I knew exactly where I wanted to go. The track rides great and I enjoyed it.

“I’ll be doing a lot of miles walking the tracks over here. It’s great job to get and a great experience to be riding for Nicky.

“Greystoke is a beautiful part of the country and I can’t wait.

“I’m still riding out for Willie at home. There’s loads of racing in the summer and I’ll probably come over at the end of September after the Listowel Festival and the Kerry National.

“I owe it all to him (Mullins) and I’ll ride out for him until September. He’s given me lots of big rides including at the Cheltenham Festival and I’ve ridden in the Melbourne Cup,” he told At The Races.

A delighted Richards added: “It was his first ride round here and I hope it’s the first of many.

“Tony (Dobbin) said he looked a very good rider and that was two years ago. Anyway, it’s all fallen into place. We’ve had the best jockeys and I hope Davy will be up there with them as well.”