Healthy and happy, Jason McLachlan steps out of Dad's shadow

A FITTER and happier Jason McLachlan is poised to claim his own piece of Magic Millions history with Enquare on the Gold Coast today.

Jimmy Byrne drives Enquare (right) to the finishing line at Doomben. Picture: Jono Searle

A FITTER, happier and healthier Jason McLachlan is poised to claim his own piece of Magic Millions history with Enquare on the Gold Coast today.

McLachlan won last year's MM Guineas with Saluter and Enquare is favourite to repeat the dose today.

The only other trainer to have repeat successes in either the 2YO Classic or 3YO Guineas is Gai Waterhouse, who did it with Ha Ha and Biaggio (2002-2003) in the three-year-old and with Assertive Lad and Excellerator (2000-2001) in the two-year-old.

McLachlan, who also has Divine Service in the 2YO Classic and stable favourite Phelan Ready in the Cup today, is one of the most recognisable faces in racing.

It's been that way his entire adult life, having grown up publicly as his father Bruce dominated Queensland racing.

Being the son of a racing legend has its perks, but the 43-year-old says it's a double-edged sword.

"I would say it hinders you more than helps because you're always compared to him," he says. "I've tried to find my own way a bit. I've won a lot of big races since he died (in 2009). We were very close and it was a bit of a shock when he went.

"There are always a certain number of people who say 'see how he goes on his own' but it's been five years and I'm still here with the favourite in the three-year-old Millions."

He is not far off clocking up 30 years in racing, having started work with his father straight out of school as a 14-year-old.

Jimmy Byrne drives Enquare (right) to the finishing line at Doomben. Picture: Jono Searle

"Back then you were allowed. I finished my schooling at Downlands College in Toowoomba, I wasn't the best student either," he admits.

Late last year he had an extended break from racing and though not wanting to elaborate on the hiatus, he admits being away gave him real clarity.

"The only thing I will say about the break is that it makes you appreciate what you've got when you don't have it in front of you," he said.

"I've lost 8kg. I'm going to the gym, feel healthier and I'm working hard."

He attributes much of his successful transition to his young family, with wife Donna and four-year-old son Riley, and his mother Lorraine.

"Mum and I have always been very close, but I think since dad died we're even closer because I'm the closest thing to dad alive," he says.

Rob Slade, in whose colours Saluter and Enquare race, has formed a strong bond with McLachlan and says the slimmer 2014 version of the trainer will be a more formidable force on the racetrack.

"He's kicked back very good," Slade said.

"I told him he needs a distraction away from racing, so I sent him to the gym.

"He's lost a heap of weight and I think it's sharpened him up a bit mentally too."

Slade made the decision to move into the Queensland market a few months before Bruce died in 2009 and his friendship with Jason has grown since.

"He calls a spade a spade and that's what I like," Slade said. "That suits my style.

"He's very good with horses, very patient and doesn't knock the young ones around.

"It was proven last year in the Magic Millions Guineas. He had Saluter trained to the absolute minute. It's the same with this filly.

"It's an art for a trainer to peak a horse and he's very skilled at doing that."

Jockey Jim Byrne and Jason McLachlan will be hoping they are again in the winner's enclosure after today's Magic Millions Guineas. Picture: Jono Searle

McLachlan says he sets himself to win the big races.

"I was fortunate, I was blooded in taking good horses away," he said. "I looked after St. Jude, Chortle and a heap of others.

"Between them, they won 20 Group 1 races. I know what it's like to have a good horse and get them ready for those sorts of races.

"There's definitely an art to timing your run."

McLachlan trains a team of up to 30 horses at Caloundra and has pride in the fact he's competing with the top end of town in both million dollar races.

"Considering the ratio of horses I buy here is very small compared to a lot of people, if I could win it two years in a row it would be a big feat," he said.

McLachlan rates Divine Service an outside chance in the 2YO Classic today ("I expect him to run in the first half dozen") and expects Phelan Ready to run his usual honest race ("it's not a Magic Millions without Phelan Ready - this is the fifth time he's run on this day") but it's Enquare which carries the weight of his biggest expectations.

"I have prepared her specifically for this race and I can't fault her," he said.

"She's very smart, versatile, tough and keeps improving. She runs good ridden forward or back and goes on the wet or dry. I can't wait to get her there."