Shillelagh’s top effort thrills Dee and Waller

A TRIP to Sydney to ride in a Group 1 race for Lloyd Williams has paved the way for jockey Michael Dee’s second success at the highest level.

Dee was legged aboard Shillelagh, one of six Chris Wallertrained runners in yesterday’s Kennedy Mile at Flemington, giving the master trainer a quinella in the 1600m race.

Waller remembered when Dee rode Foundry to victory in the Group 1 Metropolitan at Randwick in September.

“I saw him standing there before the race with hardly anyone around, which is a bit different for Team Williams,” Waller said.

“I went up to him and said to him ‘good luck’ so I remembered him from that day. I thought ‘if he’s good enough to ride for Lloyd Williams then he’s good enough for me’.”

Sent off a $13 chance, Shillelagh scored a short-neck victory over Tom Melbourne ($4.60) with Wyndspelle ($42) some 2¾ lengths away third.

Waller said Shillelagh had fresh legs having had only two lead-up starts.

“A lot of these horses have had long campaigns and getting the positive feedback from Joao Moreira last time gave us some confidence to run her in one of these Group 1 races today,” Waller said.

“She’ll come back in the autumn as she likes good tracks.”

Shillelagh was being aimed at yesterday’s Myer Classic but didn’t gain a start. The result possibly cost runner-up Tom Melbourne a Group 1 victory.

Dee said yesterday’s victory was only his third ride for Waller. “It feels great, I just can’t believe it,” Dee said.

“I was very lucky to pick up the ride for Mr Waller and the team. With only 52 (kilograms) on her back never once in the race did I think she was going to get beat.”