The Candy Man claims sweet victory at Mooloolaba Cup

The Candy Man was more in the mould of the horse we saw charging in the grades through the winter, rather than the one who was easy pickings for the southerners in Sydney over the past couple of months.

WINNER: Jockey Matthew McGillivray after riding The Candy Man to victory in the Mooloolaba Cup at Corbould Park on Saturday. Picture: AAP Image/Albert Perez.

RACING: Trainer Barry Baldwin says at 76, he still makes a few mistakes, but he also pointed out he was correct in having faith in The Candy Man bouncing back in Saturday’s inaugural $105,000 Mooloolaba Cup.

The Candy Man was more in the mould of the horse we saw charging in the grades through the winter, rather than the one who was easy pickings for the southerners in Sydney over the past couple of months.

Baldwin was bullish about The Candy Man’s chances and he made a mess of his rivals, leaving easing favourite Reckless Choice to lead home the chasers.

Baldwin and teary owner Lucky Pippos greeted The Candy Man back to scale after he shrugged off a failed Sydney campaign to rediscover his best form on Saturday.

Even though there were excuses for his NSW failures, Baldwin conceded the simple fact may be that the popular grey was never happy away from home.

Baldwin said jokingly: “He could see the Sydney Cricket Ground from his stable so you can probably understand that being a Queenslander.

“I’m 76 years old and still learning. I took him down there and I made a few mistakes.

“He was probably just never quite right down there, but all the signs since he returned home have been good.”

Jockey Matt McGillivray is proving the super-sub in Sunshine Coast features.

He won the Glasshouse this year after Les Ross struggled to find a jockey for River Racer and yesterday he deputised for the injured Michael Cahill on The Candy Man.

“It might be my last ride on him, but I’m pleased I’ve had this one opportunity,’’ said McGillivray. “He’s a dream to ride and I really love him. If the opportunity comes up again, I would love to.”

Baldwin is now in two minds whether to keep The Candy Man fresh for 1600m races, or stretch him back to 2200m on December 28 for the Shoot Out Quality, in a bid to qualify for the Magic Millions Trophy.

“The way he won (on Saturday) he might be best at a mile,’’ said Baldwin. “I will just have to think it over for a little while.”

David Vandyke praised Ryan Maloney after he steered Pinnacle Star to a narrow win in the Benchmark 70 Handicap (1200m) on Saturday.

Pinnacle Star was slowly away, but Maloney saved ground on the inside. Pinnacle Star had found Macewen too classy at his previous two runs, but this win took his record to four wins in eight starts.

“He normally doesn’t settle, but he was very professional today,” Vandyke said.

“Ryan was happy to settle last early and he didn’t bustle him. I thought it was a great performance by Ryan and horse. He saved every inch of ground and kept the horse balanced.”

Vandyke’s stable star Alligator Blood is set to trial on Tuesday week before running in the Gold Edition (December 14) and Vo Rogue Plate (December 28) ahead of his tilt on the $2 million Magic Millions Guineas on January 11.

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