Clint Johnston-Porter claims winning treble with trainer Michael Grantham at Albany Racing Club midweek meet

Perth-based jockey Clint Johnston-Porter was in a rich vein of form on Thursday at Albany Racing Club, riding a winning treble on Michael Grantham’s Cosmic Spirit, My Idol and Antique Queen. Johnston-Porter grabbed his first win of the day with $2.20 favourite Cosmic Spirit in the TABTouch You’ve Got The Touch Maiden (1100m) after edging out Adam Durrant’s Point Of Conflict ($2.70) by a long-neck. He then made it back-to-back victories for himself and trainer Grantham after stylishly booting home short-priced favourite My Idol ($1.60) to a half-length win over Optimal ($3.90) in the Racing WA Careers In Racing Maiden (1600m). The dynamic trainer-jockey duo made the long trip to the Great Southern worth having after Antique Queen ($2.25) beat out a fast-finishing Magnaburma by a head in the last race to convert a memorable treble. Trainer Alan McNamara grabbed his first victory of the season after a sublime debut from four-year-old mare Stormy’s Show. The $18 outsider was superb in the Lion Corporate Christmas Maiden (1100m) to hold off a fast-finishing Gaspardo ($2.05) to win by a head. Emerging Albany trainer Ashleigh Woollett secured her second-ever victory just a fortnight on from her maiden triumph after Jason Whiting steered Magic Mikey ($4.60) to an impressive three-quarter-length victory over Abissi ($5) in the Wellington & Reeves Christmas Handicap (1920m). Oxbridge, the Great Southern’s Horse of the Year in 2023-24, made a superb return to racing with an all-the-way win for apprentice Chanel Cooper. Cooper led from start to finish in the Racing WA Own The Dream 2025 Handicap (1100m), saluting by two lengths on the $15 chance ahead of $2.70 favourite Eevalina. Victoria Corver steered the Ryan Hill-trained Hit The Jackpot ($3.90) to a long neck victory over Big Cities ($8.50) in race five and Jason Whiting made it two triumphs on the day with a win on Flying South ($5) in the Pelicans Christmas Handicap (1230m). Jockey Alex Hearn was fined $150 for a whip breach in race seven on Pedal Power, using his whip on two more occasions than permitted prior to the 100m. Trainer Roy Rogers was fined $50 for the use of the club’s colours on High Class in race two.