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Chinese-born apprentice Qin Yong is certainly seeing plenty of the Australian countryside. The 28-year-old jockey went to Dubbo on Sunday to compete in a heat of the Rising Star Series and, though he missed out there, still returned home a winner.

Qin Yong, apprenticed to Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup, finished 10th on roughie Pretty Pine in the Rising Star (a 1600m Class 3 Handicap) before scoring on Dubbo-trained Joey’s Destiny. He had the $3 favourite away smartly from the barrier in the Benchmark 65 Handicap (1100m), took up the running and was never headed.

Qin Yong’s 4kg claim proved decisive, lessening Joey’s Destiny’s weight to 59kg. The gelding kicked clear in the straight to score easily from $21 chance Drummed Out and Somebody ($4.60), who tried valiantly under a massive 65.5kg.

Joey’s Destiny, a four-year-old by Power Of Destiny, has been a good performer for Dubbo trainer Clint Lundholm and his owners. He has won five races and also been placed on eight occasions from 20 starts. Two starts earlier, Joey’s Destiny had started favorite when fourth to Good Host in a 1400m Qualifier of the Country Championships series.

This was Qin Yong’s third Australian victory. He broke through on Azzie’s Ready at the Wellington Boot meeting on April 8, and 12 days later scored on his master’s horse Boyer at Canberra. He also finished second on Azzie’s Ready at the Tamworth Cup meeting a week ago, and was narrowly beaten on Boyer at Muswellbrook last Friday.

Hawkesbury-based jockey Robbie Brewer also was in the winning list on Sunday – at the Sapphire Coast. He scored on former Victorian Lincoln Cash Man ($3.30 fav) for Moruya trainer Natalie Jarvis in the Maiden Plate (1200m).