Fernie dominant again as McNaught grabs riding treble

Jade McNaught and Zephen Johnston-Porter rode the coat-tails of Peter Fernie’s resounding success when the veteran trainer opened last Saturday’s meeting at the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Racing Club with five consecutive winners.

Johnston-Porter piloted Twist Of Gold ($1.50 favourite) to a half-length win in the opener and McNaught dialled in to Fernie’s dominant early-season form by booting home the next three in succession.

McNaught’s streak began in race two with Treasured Queen ($1.45 favourite) and continued with Style Diva ($5) and It’s A Lance ($3.30).

It was a winning sequence that has her tied with Austin Galati for jockey of the year ahead of the KBRC’s next meeting on Anzac Day.

Also last weekend, Johnston-Porter completed a riding double when Hidden Ruby ($3.40 favourite) won race five over 1100m.

Fernie’s stellar run ended in race six when Kristy Bennett rode the Paul Tapper-trained Nodustonme ($9) to victory in the $24,000 Goldfields Pest Control Handicap (1100m).

Galati accounted for the day’s other winner aboard the Chris Willis-trained Right to Silence ($3.20 favourite) in the last event.

Treasured Queen leads the horse of the year standings and Johnston-Porter shows the way for leading apprentice.

Next Thursday’s Anzac Day program will be followed by meetings at the KBRC on May 12 and May 19.