'I couldn't ask for any more' - dream start for new pro Amie Waugh

Amie Waugh made a perfect start to life as a professional jockey by winning on the first ride of her new career.

The former amateur, who has switched to riding as a 5lb claimer on the Flat in order to make the most of her light weight, landed the 5f handicap on Sound Of Iona for Jim Goldie.

"I couldn't ask for any more," she said. "That was a dream start. She travelled so well and she stuck her little head out and fought all the way to the line.

"She made it easy for me. As long as it keeps continuing I'll have no problems."

Amie Waugh returns in triumphCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Waugh, 31, rode 24 winners on the Flat and over jumps as an amateur and said: "This has always been at the back of my mind and it makes it easier when it starts like this."

She won the Queen Mother Cup at York on Nicholas T for Goldie in June, who has long been a fan and said: "She's a very talented jockey, if you watch her going to the start she took that down on a long rein – she has a good set of hands."

Bargain buy comes good

First-season trainer Ed Bethell scored a notable triumph with Regional in the feature 6f handicap as the three-year-old he picked up for 3,500gns at Newmarket in July earned a first prize of £13,500 by making all.

But Bethell – who runs Spring Mile winner Artistic Rifles in a Group 3 here on Saturday and is aiming the unlucky Gimcrack Stakes fourth Fearby at the Mill Reef Stakes – was quick to share the credit.

"Tom Biggs from Blandford Bloodstock, who helped me buy Fearby, found him," said the trainer, who was sending out his 19th winner since taking over the licence from his father James.

"I hope we're starting a great association! We thought we'd have to pay £30,000 and we paid 3,500gns and I'm not sure why. It's exciting, especially when they cost so little. I'm the lucky beneficiary.

"His work had been good at home before and we were hopeful but I was a little unsure whether he'd strip fit enough for today. In the last few weeks he's started to flourish at home and he'd been working with some good work horses. He's got a nice future, that's for sure, I'm looking forward to him."

Riches for Rishes

Regional's jockey Danny Tudhope was also on board David O'Meara-trained newcomer Rishes Baar, who defied inexperience to catch Lowther Stakes fourth Vertiginous close home and beat the 1-3 favourite by a neck in the novice event.

Tudhope said: "She knows her job. We've had to keep a lid on her at home and they've done a great job.

Danny Tudhope: rode two winners at HaydockCredit: Edward Whitaker

"We weren't sure how good she'd be because she's not done too much but she definitely knew what she was doing.

"They went quick but I was able to jump and travel, usually first time out they're a bit off it and don't know what they're doing. I thought I was going to pick the favourite up and she's rated 99 so it was a big ask first time out and that bodes well for the future."

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