Epic ride from Matthew McGuren helps Toby Edmonds land a double at Eagle Farm
TOP Northern Rivers jockey Matt McGuren made a rare return to Brisbane to help complete a race-to-race double for the Toby Edmonds stable on Mr Epic at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
TOP Northern Rivers jockey Matt McGuren made a rare return to Brisbane to help complete a race-to-race double for the Toby Edmonds stable on Mr Epic at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
McGuren came to notice as a senior apprentice in Brisbane, finishing fourth on the metropolitan jockey title two seasons back.
He now bases himself in Grafton, where he is the now leading rider, and then ventures to the Gold Coast on Saturdays.
“If the opportunity comes up I will always jump at the chance to come to town and I am grateful the owners stuck with me on this horse,” he said after picking Mr Epic up off the canvas. “Weight is ordinary, but that is nothing new. I ride 55kg most of the time. I wanted to stick with this horse after Rockhampton. It was a good win. He has good upside.”
Edmonds had earlier scratched the more-fancied stablemate Sagaronne from the same race because of the heavy track and admitted he was unsure if Mr Epic would handle the conditions.
When the horse appeared to be struggling before the turn it looked as though those fears would be realised, but in a slog to the line he proved strongest, with easing favourite Salmanazar just failing to finish off the tough 1500m.
“They skipped before the turn and that made him vulnerable, but he had strength and fitness on his side and that held him in good stead. To be honest I thought they went a bit too early,” McGuren said.
Edmonds said Mr Epic was a great advertisement for the QTIS scheme, having now picked up three Saturday bonuses to help boost his earnings beyond $260,000.
“He’s a little underrated this horse. He’s just a great, honest fellow with a will to win,” Edmonds said. “You never give up on him and he’s strong on the line.”
Edmonds had won earlier with One Inch Punch, who nailed Monster Of Energy in the last two strides to gain a nose verdict.
Knight hits the spot
A SHREWD betting move proved the forerunner to Eminent Knight announcing himself as a serious staying prospect in the Class 3 Plate at Eagle Farm.
Eminent Knight broke his maiden status in dashing style a week ago at Toowoomba, but most felt the class rise would be against him and he drifted to $26 at one stage in betting before “the smarties” stepped in and crunched his price to $12.
Eminent Knight settled back in the field for emerging apprentice Amelia Denby, who then pinched runs through the field coming to the turn.
The son of Duporth then ran into a minor traffic jam, but once clear air opened up, he produced an explosive burst to post a near six lengths winning margin.
Trainer Julie Green was represented by her husband Graeme, who revealed Eminent Knight came to the stable untried in races after two other stables had written off his chances of making a racehorse.
“The win at Toowoomba last week was epic and I think he’s a top-class horse on the way up,” Green said. “He will go straight out for a break now and I think he will make into a really good Saturday class horse when he comes back next time in.”
Eminent Knight is still in his first preparation and had been beaten twice at the Gold Coast and Toowoomba before his six-length breakthrough on the Downs last Saturday night.
Green, who said his wife “does all the hard work and I just get to be here on raceday”, gave a lot of credit to the change in fortunes of Eminent Knight to Denby, who also partnered the son of Duport last week.
“She’s a really good fit for this horse,” Green said. “He hadn’t shown a lot at all until last week at Toowoomba.”
Good judges tip it won’t be the last punters hear of Denby.
In her own words, the former Kiwi has had a “broken apprenticeship” and has only been licensed in Queensland for the past eight months.
She recently outrode her provincial claim with her career wins tally now in excess of 80.
“That was my first ride on a Saturday in town so it’s a pretty big thrill,” Denby said.
Liam Birchley paid tribute to the consistency of the impeccably bred Beckham after he capped a successful campaign by winning yesterday’s Open Handicap.
“For a five-year-old stallion he’s very consistent. He always tries very hard,” Birchley said. “Gratefully he handled the wet conditions and was able to run them down.”
Betting rival Saluter failed to handle the conditions and was one of the first horses beaten. Well-tried Trubia seemingly had set up a winning break halfway up the running, but paddled to the line and was relegated to third as Our Boy Nicholas ran on very late.
Originally published as Epic ride from Matthew McGuren helps Toby Edmonds land a double at Eagle Farm
‘Why I do the hard yards’: Young hoop ready for Slipper stage
Thomas Stockdale has always pictured himself riding in the biggest races, and his hard work will pay off when he takes his spot in the Golden Slipper.
Baker: This is my best chance to win Golden Slipper
Bjorn Baker has revealed it’s been his dream to win the Golden Slipper and is adamant he has his best-ever chance in the race.
Hoysted sprinter warming up for winter after health battles
Classy sprinter Ouroboros is back firing after a series of health issues last year and can continue his path towards the Queensland winter carnival at Eagle Farm on Saturday.