Jockey Craig Atkinson made a dream return to the saddle in Ballarat on Tuesday by winning with his first race ride in seven years.
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Atkinson guided home the Paddy Payne-trained Secret Hero ($6) in the Hygain Winners Choice Benchmark58 Handicap, 1200m, on the syntheic track.
His previous race ride had been at Cranbourne in April, 2014, and his latest win at King Island in February of the same year.
Atkinson expressed his thanks to the likes of Payne and fellow Ballarat trainer Henry Dwyer for their support over the past year as he worked his way back.
Ironically, Dwyer had to be satisfied with second with Telekinesis ($7.50) in the same race as Secret Hero worked home from back in the field at a rate of knots.
"It's good to be back."
Atkinson said he had given riding away for personal reasons, but at the time did not think he would be off the scene so long.
It was Atkinson's 42nd career win, with him having ridden winners on King Island, New South Wales, Northern Territory and Victoria.
He expressed surprise with the finishing burst of Secret Hero.
"I'm gobsmacked. I didn't think he'd get there. I didn't think he could sprint like that."
PADDY PAYNE rounded off yet another big day on the track for Ballarat trainers, who will be disappointed Tuesday was the last meeting on the circuit for the year.
Melody Cunningham won with Cosmic Rhapsody ($3.10) in the Porter Plant Benchmark58 Handicap, 1000m; Tony and Calvin McEvoy with My Boy Birmingham ($1.60 favourite) in the Hygain Winners Choice Benchmark70 Handicap, 1500m; and Henry Dwyer with Valentino's On ($7.50) in the Sportsbet Benchmark58 Handicap, 1500m.
The McEvoys had three seconds before getting to the line first.
They are now level with Ciaron Maher and David Eustace in the Ballarat Turf Club trainers' premiership, with each having nine wins in a bumper opening month of the season.
My Boy Birmingham has had a great time on the synthetic, winning three of four starts and finishing second in the other outing.
The BTC's next meeting is Gold Nugget Day on Sunday, September 19.
FORMERLY Ballarat-based jockey Ben Melham has appealed against a three-month suspension for breaking COVID-19 protocols.
The Victorian Racing Tribunal confirmed on Tuesday that Mark Zahra, Ethan Brown and Melham had each lodged appeals against three-month bans incurred as a result of them attending a gathering outside COVID-19 rules.