Ric gets another win on old mate
TOUGH gelding Outraged again showed his affinity with jockey Ric McMahon when he returned to the winner’s circle at the Gold Coast.
McMahon was able to get Outraged ($11) to jump from the barriers much better than usual and gave him the run of the race before holding off the fast-finishing Vassal ($3.20) by a neck in the Taste The Difference Handicap (2200m) on Saturday.
McMahon has now won five races on Outraged, including last year’s Townsville Cup.
Brisbane trainer Kelly Schweida arrived home from an overseas holiday on Saturday morning and left duties at the Gold Coast to stable foreman Hayley Nichols.
“No one rides Outraged as well as Ric. Outraged can over-race if you fight him and when he jumped so well Ric just lets him go along as he likes,” Nichols said.
“Outraged is a funny horse he takes a few runs to get fit but once he does he holds his form.”
McMahon said he had been content to let Outraged hold his position and he knew he was on the best stayer.
Caulfield-based apprentice Chris Caserta’s decision to chase metropolitan rides in Queensland paid off when the Les Kelly-trained Freddie Fox Trot won.
Caserta, who rode 32 winners in Victoria last season, was having his second ride in Queensland.
“Melbourne on Saturdays are mostly non-claiming races at the moment, so I thought it wouldn’t hurt to head up here,” Caserta said.
“It is good to get off to a winning start.
“It is a long way home if you don’t get a win.”
Freddie Fox Trot’s victory made it two wins in a row on his home track following a maiden success at Lismore at his second race start on August 15