Gray’s travel is now paying off
JOCKEY Matthew Gray has constantly been on the move in search of winning rides.
But he seems to feel right at home in the saddle at Beaudesert.
Gray rode a winning double on Saturday at the track, opening his account in the BenchMark 70 Handicap (1650m) with Gold Coast trainer Fred Adams’ Choice Princess.
The 38-year-old returned soon after to win the Class 1 Handicap (1100m) on Rainbow Spirit.
The Deagon-based hoop has ridden at seven tracks in the past four weeks and has featured in Rockhampton, Gatton, Kilcoy and Emerald in recent months.
“Somehow I’ve end up everywhere. I always lived in Brisbane but the rides sometimes don’t come as often as I want,” Gray said.
“I’ve had a bit of luck doing it a few times at Emerald and Charters Towers, Cairns and a few places.
“I don’t mind (the travel). I’d obviously prefer to be more established and stable down here but it doesn’t really worry me. I have had to travel a fair bit over the last couple of years.”
Gray has had a long association with the Jim Murdoch-trained Rainbow Spirit, who has now won two races from 18 starts, the last coming in June 2016.
“I have had a lot to do with Rainbow over the last couple of years and it’s surprised me that it’s taken him so long to win another one because he is a good worker and he’s shown potential a lot of times,” Gray said.
“I’m not really sure what brought on the win. They put him in the paddock for a couple of weeks and then he did some swimming. Maybe a freshen up and a change of scenery have helped him.
“He has always raced well but not quite as impressive as he was on Saturday.”
Gold Coast jockey Brooke Ainsworth broke a drought at the same meeting, claiming victory with Golden Sunset in the QTIS Three-YearsOld Class 1 Plate (1400m).
Ainsworth had not won in more than 50 races since steering Who’s Your Daddy home at Eagle Farm in May.
Punters were left shocked in the final race of the day when Captain Clayton, paying $99.30 with UBET, won by more than two lengths. Captain Clayton turns 11 tomorrow and had’t won in more than two years.