Tayla Stone has taken an early in the Touchstone Farm Rising Stars after her smart win on Agachar Cruz at Belmont on Saturday.
Stone had the Oratorio stallion perfectly positioned behind the speed after Transgressor shot out of the gates to take up the running.
Agachar Cruz, well supported by punters, grabbed the lead inside the final 200m and streaked away to defeat Transgressor by 1 ½ lengths.
Stone, who picked up the ride from the suspended Kate Fitzgerald, said Agachar Cruz, racing second up after a long spell, had run well.
“He was a little awkward out of the gates, but I slotted him into the one-one position,” Stone said.
“When I peeled out at the top of the straight he loved it and ran on really well.
“Thank you to Mr Harrison for giving me the opportunity.”
Stone gained additional minor points at a frustrating day at Kalgoorlie on Sunday when she ran placings with odds on favourite, Rikki Tikki Tava, Prayer In Cee and Rafferty.
Six points adrift of Stone is Shelby Bowtell who landed a major prize at Belmont when track specialist, Gigante, cut down Furious Dame in the shadows of the post.
Bowtell said she enjoyed her association and working with Gigante’s in-form trainer, Jim Taylor.
“Jim needed a rider and it’s good that he gave me an opportunity,” Bowtell said.
Bunbury-based rider, Fiona Bell, pressed her claim in the series when she rode outsider, Balrov, to an upset win at Kalgoorlie.
Bell also sat behind Antalya who led the field in chase of tearaway leader, Burkina, who demolished his rivals by 6 ½ lengths.
Previous winners of the Rising Stars includes: Jordan Turner and Clint Johnston-Porter (2015), Lucy Warwick (2014), Ben Kennedy (2013), Chanelle O’Grady (2012), Joe Azzopardi (2011) and Michael Grantham (2010).