IT WASN'T quite the fairytale finish that Jessie Philpot and the connections of Carlingford might have been hoping for at Sandown on Wednesday.
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But there was clearly no disappointment, only elation, optimism and joy and plenty of good wishes, after the Bendigo-based apprentice finished second aboard the six-year-old gelding in her first ride at Victorian metropolitan level.
Philpot, who is apprenticed to Carlingford's Kyneton-based trainer Mick Sell, came ever so close to doing what very few jockeys have achieved and winning on debut in city class company.
Barely centimetres separated Philpot on Carlingford - one of the outsiders of the field at $41 - and Jordan Childs on Banger ($13), with the Wodonga-trained four-year-old prevailing in a head-bobbing finish.
Despite coming up just short of a dream start to her Victorian metropolitan riding career, the 25-year-old lost no admirers and more likely gained plenty.
Stable spokesperson Mel Sell said it was an emotional day all-round at Sandown.
"I think it took me about 15 minutes to stop crying - I, like everyone, was just so proud of her," she said.
"Barring a bad bob of the head, you couldn't have asked for anything better.
"I thought she had it, but my daughter said 'I think the other one has just got you', and I was telling her to 'wait for the angle'.
"We were hoping, but as it was it was pretty amazing."
The Sells make no secret of their fondness and appreciation for their apprentice, who travels between Bendigo and Kyneton several days a week, always referring to Philpot as 'family'.
"She works her arse off and she travels all over the county-side to ride. She's not shy on have saddle will travel," Mel Sell said.
"She is there for us every day and she really is part of the family.
"My youngest daughter made a banner for Jess nearly as soon as she crossed the line. Jess got home last night and there was this banner hanging across the door in our racing colours. In our eyes she was a winner.
"We are all grateful to Wayne (Olson), the owner (of Carlingford), he had been wanting to put Jess on for a long time, but she was only allowed to ride Wednesday midweeks.
"Unfortunately there were no suitable midweeks for Carlingford that we could get Jess on, but as soon as this race came up and we knew we could drop him back in class, we were able to give her the opportunity.
"And knowing (Carlingford) was coming back to that (benchmark) 64 grade, we knew he'd give us a good performance."
On the strength of Wednesday's performance, Sell predicted it would not be long before Philpot ticked off yet another goal in her young and devloping career by notching her first win in Melbourne.
That chance could come as soon as a fortnight's time, with Carlingford likely to return to Sandown for either a 1200m or 1400m event.
Philpot, one of few Australian jockeys riding to have ridden a winner in each Australian state and territory, has experienced success before with Carlingford, guiding the gelding to victory at Bendigo last July.
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