Jean Van Overmeire has celebrated his first Sydney metropolitan win since returning to Australia with a deft frontrunning display aboard Tulloch Lodge youngster Azula at the midweek Kensington card.
Van Overmeire followed former Gold Coast trainer Michael Costa to Dubai last year but with racing there currently in it’s off season and not due to kick off again until October, he decided to head home.
He is happy to “see where the road leads” before making any firm decisions on his riding future but says living and working in Dubai has been an incredible experience.
“I absolutely loved it. It was so good,” Van Overmeire said.
“It’s a completely different atmosphere, the racing is different and the racing style is completely different to what we’re used to over here.”
The talented jockey has been working hard on the NSW country and provincial circuits since landing back in Australia at the start of April and was rewarded with six rides at the Randwick-Kensington meeting on Wednesday.
Seizing the opportunity, Van Overmeire was straight back in the winner’s circle, taking Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained juvenile Azula to the front in the TAB Handicap (1400m) and rating her beautifully to score.
“It’s good to be back and I’m even more delighted to get a winner for Gai and Adrian,” Van Overmeire said.
Azula was having just her second start after making late ground for fifth over 1200m at Warwick Farm on debut last month and relished a distance rise on Wednesday.
The daughter of Maurice has been entered for the Sires’ Produce (1400m) and JJ Atkins Stakes (1600m) in Brisbane, but Bott says they would talk to her owners before deciding whether to head north or concentrate on the spring.
Either way, he is happy to see her get a win on the board.
“Lovely, confident ride from Jean because she wasn’t the best into stride and there might have been an opportunity for him to even be outside the lead there early,” Bott said.
“But he really took control of the race and rolled forward.
“We thought she’d be strong over this trip. She showed that with her first-up run and she had the benefit of that experience.
“She showed good improvement today and she is a nice filly for us going forward.”
