Hamblin rode Misisipi Moonshine to a 19-length win in the steeplechase. Hamblin made the trip to Wingatui to ride three jumpers for Omakau trainer Murray Hamilton. He had ridden Misisipi Moonshine to finish third in a maiden steeples at the Grand National meeting. Hamblin suffered concussion and a facial laceration in a fall from Lindisfarne in the Grand National Steeplechase. Lindisfarne was destroyed.
Hamblin has ridden some 50 winners over jumps and others on the flat in 23 years as a jockey. He has also ridden in Ireland, England and the Czech Republic. He has ridden a winner in Ireland. He finished 12th in a field of 25 in the equivalent of the Grand National Steeplechase in the CR over 31 fences and 6900m at Pardubice.
Hamblin was encouraged to try his luck in NZ by New Plymouth trainer John Wheeler. Hamblin rode work for Wheeler when the latter campaigned horses at the Brisbane winter carnival.
Misisipi Moonshine is the fourth individual jumps winner for Hamilton since May. The others are Kid Columbus (NZ Grand National Hurdles), Rule The Day and Magic Man. Kid Columbus is back in work with the NZ Cup as his target.
Misisipi Moonshine, a maiden flat winner at Riverton in April, is owned by Peter Lyon, of Alexandra. He took over the ownership last season. He felt Misisipi Moonshine was worth trying as a jumper being a half-brother by Sunray to Blakes Boy, whose four wins over hurdles included the 2005 Waikato Hurdles and the Sydenham Hurdles at Riccarton.
Hamilton also won a maiden flat race on Saturday with What A Find. His apprentice, Jo Chong, rode Whata Find and the winner, Flying Petal.
• "She is back to her old self," Kylie Williams said after riding Chaparella to a dashing fresh-up win.
"That confirmed what I felt after riding her to win the trial (September 7)."
Williams rode Chaparella to win the 2010 Gore Guineas and a race at Omakau at her previous start but she had not ridden the mare in a race since February 2010.
Tommy Rulz was relegated from third to fourth in race 9 on Saturday for shifting in over the closing stages. He hampered Missceo, who was promoted from fourth to third. Lisa McKay, the rider of Tommy Rulz, was warned over shifting ground.
Georgies Girl, the favourite, was distressed after dropping out to a long last in race 4. She received veterinary treatment.
