It has been over two years since jockey Conrod Ellis has ridden a winner.

That dreadful drought came to an exciting end on Saturday as Ellis was able to guide the Patrick Lynch-trained Toot The Blues to victory by a mere neck over the fast-finishing Malachi in a three-year-old non-winners of two event over the five straight course. The face of the 31-year-old reflected both joy and amazement when it sank in that he had actually won the race. In fact, Ellis was so overwhelmed that he stood transfixed after being led into the winners’ enclosure, took several deep breaths, and then slowly made his way towards the scales to weigh in.

When he regained his power of speech, Ellis expressed how elated he was after finally breaking his losing spell.

“It is actually two years and three months since I have not ridden a winner. Despite not winning a race for so long, that doesn’t keep me from trying and trying, as I am the kind of person that will never give up.

“After the win, I can tell you I felt really good. I mean, it was amazing and a very great feeling knowing that the bad, winless spell had finally been broken.

“But I knew that the hard work and dedication that I have been putting into this profession were going to pay off one day, and it happened today (Saturday), and I am really happy.

“The hard work doesn’t stop here, it is not even close. I will continue to put in more work, and hopefully I can ride more winners,” a jubilant Ellis told the Supreme Racing Guide.

Going five furlongs (1,000m) down the straight course, Toot The Blues got off to a reasonable start and was tucked in behind the pacemakers for the first two furlongs (400m) of the quick dash.

It was the two-year-old Go Go Girl (Chalwick Budhai) who led the field past the dummy rails, but when Ellis asked his mount to run, Toot The Blues challenged for the lead inside the last furlong (200m) before edging away to win by a neck from the fast-finishing Malachi, the mount of Orlando Foster. The final time was a decent 58.3 seconds.

“I rode this horse before, so I know him a bit. The trainer instructed me to break him good, hold him up into third or fourth position, and in the last two furlongs, give him everything, and that was what I did and it paid off.

“To be frank, I am very, very happy and I thank the trainer, Mr Lynch, for having confidence in me,” an emotional Ellis declared.