"OLD FIRM" BACK IN WINNING TOUCH

TUESDAY: February 18, 2025: “BREAK a leg” is an old phrase often said to actors wishing them good luck before they went on stage.

Hawkesbury trainer James Ponsonby actually did break a leg in November and, whilst it certainly wasn’t good luck at the time, things took a decided turn for the better at Newcastle today.

Ponsonby broke back into the winning list when Socrates (Winona Costin) snuck home at $21 in a tight finish to the 5YO & Upwards Benchmark 64 Handicap (1500m).

Following on from Ponsonby’s 15 winners last season, seven-year-old gelding Socrates was the trainer’s fifth success this season – and his first since Drunken Sailor scored as favorite at Queanbeyan on November 20.

Ponsonby understandably was effusive in his praise of both Costin and his wife Keryn for ensuring the stable continued over the last three months.

“A week after Drunken Sailor won, I had an accident when a little filly I was handling put me into a tree,” he explained.

“I snapped the tibia in my right leg.

“Both Winona and Keryn kept the stable going.

“If Winona had not come and ridden work each morning, we would have been out of play.

“The doctor gave me the all clear two weeks ago.

“Winona is a good friend, and it’s great to have her back riding our horses.

“She is my most successful jockey; today being her 21st winner for me.

“Winona rode my first winner (Obelos) at Albury, and gave me my first provincial winner on the same horse, and also rode my first city winner (Proven Class at Royal Randwick in October 2020).

Ponsonby has now won six races (including three in a row in the latter quarter of 2022, first at Tuncurry and then two at Randwick) with Socrates, but wasn’t confident the gelding could resume on a winning note.

Socrates hadn’t raced since October 12 last year when unplaced over 1600m at Kembla Grange.

“I galloped him at Hawkesbury last Saturday morning, and he worked well,” Ponsonby said.

“But then stablemate Semper Fortis came out two days later and ran a second faster.

“Socrates had never won or been placed first-up before, but Winona gave him a beaut ride.

“She had him out of the gates quickly, took a trail behind the front-runner Lease, then eased away from the inside leaving the 600m, and got him home.

“The old firm is back in winning vein.”

Less than a length separated the first five horses across the line, and Socrates tenaciously held off Jumeirah Beach ($12) and $3.40 favorite Don’tcha Think.