By Jordan Gerrans
Nathan Day has been crowned the top jockey of a popular FNQ race series following a white-hot afternoon at the office on Tuesday.
The 49-year-old has long been a ‘FIFO jockey’ heading to North and Central Queensland to ride from his Brisbane base.
But, in recent months, the Cleveland Bay-winning hoop has relocated to Cairns and has been a regular at Cannon Park riding work in the morning.
He is reaping the rewards, as well, collecting a quartet of victories on Tuesday at Cairns.
And, in the process, he shot to the lead of the annual Magic Millions Rob Koch Memorial Far North Queensland Up and Coming Stayers Series and took out the prize.
Day finished on eight points through the eight event series, which was level with leading North Queensland rider Lacey Morrison.
Day was handed the honours on a count back, winning two races in the series compared to Morrison’s one.
The veteran rider picked up the winning points aboard Don Arcangelo in Benchmark 70 grade over 2100 metres for local trainer Stephen Massingham.
“He is a nice horse, he works so well on the track and it is good to see him replicate it and win,” Day said of Don Arcangelo.
The popular series in FNQ is named after Rob Koch who was a North Queensland racing administrator and horse owner that passed away in March 2020 after years involved in several different roles within the racing industry.
As an owner, Koch won big Cup races in North Queensland as well as bringing his best horses to Brisbane, where he also had success.
He also devoted his time to the Far North Country Racing Association, where he was the secretary, with plans to eventually become president before his sad passing.