Shane Ellis, the 2015 champion rider, who was experiencing a severe drought of winners, finally felt some ‘raindrops’ on Saturday with two visits to the winners’ enclosure.

Ellis guided the Patrick Fong-trained Lord Equus to victory over six and a half furlongs (1,300 metres) to notch his first winner in over a month. He then completed a double when he won aboard Don Chassis, trained by Philip Feanny, in the 22nd running of the $1.1 million Front Runner Sir Howard Stakes. His last winner came on January 2 with Seeking The Dawn, who won easily by six lengths in a maiden condition event over 1,000 metres straight.

After his Derby win aboard Orpheus last June, Ellis, who is known for riding big race winners, came off the grid as the winners dried up.

“Sometimes when you are not getting the rides, you get a little downhearted but it was just not my time. I know what it is like, as I have been in this situation before and all I had to do was to continue putting in the hard work same way.

“Hard work and dedication will eventually pay off and today (Saturday), it paid off for me and I am grateful,” Ellis said.

Ellis said that racing fans should expect more from him as the season goes on.

“Well, I am hoping to get a lot more winners and rides of course. I will continue to do the necessary hard work as I am determined to get back in top form,” Ellis said.