Delpech's double comes at a cost - $30,000 fine
It wasn't the ending to the day that Anthony Delpech was looking for, especially with the David Ferraris stable now on a positive roll, but the South African got to take a double away with his suspension yesterday.
Delpech had narrowly escaped penalty at a careless riding inquiry last week so he had to take the rough with the smooth after getting a two day ban and $30,000 fine for his ride on Super Special in the opening race and wins by the Ferraris-trained Noble Silence and Bear Macho helped ease the pain.
'David's horses have all run well today - even the one I got time over - so it isn't the ideal time to be getting a suspension,' said Delpech, who will ride on Wednesday at Happy Valley before commencing the ban.
Noble Silence has had his problems this season, including two bouts of fever which have seen his season set back, but yesterday he got the most important ingredient for his racing style and that was good pace.
'The pace was quick today and he always travelled well even though he was last in the race early,' the jockey said.
'Both we and the second horse, Award, were well back so obviously the speed was a bit too strong up front.
'We got a good run through on the turn without having to come around the whole field and when he gets the right circumstances he finishes off well.
'He isn't the soundest horse but he has tried hard all season and probably deserved to win one.'
Bear Macho is most often ridden off the speed but Delpech and Ferraris were happy to use the three-year-old's speed this time around in a race where there was no obvious leader and it was a winning move.
'He had a light weight and our best chance from the wide draw was to go forward and he has got plenty of speed if you use it,' said the rider.
'I got over fairly easily and he was still full of running approaching the home turn and had to be tough to beat from there.
'I thought he was a bit unlucky at his last run but he's made up for that today and he's putting a nice record together.
'He's not a big horse but he will get stronger again next season and he's going to be a very handy sprinter,' Delpech added.
