The father and daughter combination of Justin and Lucy Warwick struck early at Belmont when young galloper Calabria Joe won the Westspeed Nursery (1400m) in convincing fashion.
On a rain affected track Calabria Joe having only his second race start was beautifully positioned by Lucy Warwick, following the second horse in the classical one out, one back position.
It was the first two year old winner for Justin Warwick who has made a successful transition from Pacing to Racing. He will finish the 2013-14 racing season on Wednesday in fourth position on the metropolitan trainers premiership, behind Adam Durrant, Neville Parnham and Grant Williams.
Warwick said Lucy had given the perfect ride on a young horse, being “towed up beautifully behind the leaders.” The trainer said there was plenty of improvement left in this horse and he would “probably have another run or two before being turned out.”
He was named after Warwick’s friend, Joe Crupi from Calabria, and was a mere $2000 weanling purchase.
Lucy said he had over raced in his debut third at Pinjarra on July 17.”He was a stride in front and a stride past the post on that occasion but not on the line.”
“However today he settled well after easing behind the leaders. He ran like a good experienced eight year old rather than as a baby.”
Asked about the conditions of the track the talented apprentice said “it was sloppy but consistent and riders were careful not to ride too tight.”
AN ENVIABLE RIDE: Another talented female apprentice Chloe Azzopardi won the second -and last race of the program- on the David Harrison trained Jest Envy Her.
It was Azzopardi’s first Saturday winner.
Running second to pacemaker Hop On Hop Off (ultimately third) Azzopardi took her charge to the lead in the home straight and while getting tired at the finish still had daylight to spare over Miss Santa Fe who finished well to grab second.
It was only Jest Envy Her’s second win from 14 starts although she has been placed on nine occasions.
After the second race the stewards called the meeting off deeming it unsafe for further racing.
The feature race the HG Bolton Sprint will be run on Wednesday and all other races abandoned.
There were problems with the track at the 1600m, 1350m and 650m marks.
The track was a rated a heavy nine before stewards cancelled all races after the second.
There had been 57 millimetres of rain recorded up to 9am Saturday and a further 25millimetres prior to the first race initially scheduled at 12.20pm but delayed 35mins.