Mclellan takes back seat with top mare
TOWNSVILLE trainer Michael Mclellan would like to take the credit for the stunning form turnaround of Honest Natalie but he can’t bring himself to do it.
The experienced North Queensland horseman usually rides his small team of horses in work until he took a fall two months ago, fracturing a part of his spine in his lower back.
With Mclellan out of action in the mornings, the trainer has engaged trainer-jockey Bonnie Thomson, who rode a winning treble at Cannon Park on Saturday, among others to take on the mare.
Since his fall, the five-yearold has gone on to break her maiden status, after her 26th start, and won again on Saturday afternoon on Amateurs Cup Day.
Throw in a smart second between the two wins and the mare could have easily gone 26 starts without winning before scoring three in a row.
“I would like to take the credit, but I cannot,” Mclellan said.
“My horses, since Bonnie has been riding them every day, instead of me, have been going great.
“Scott Sheargold and Pietro Romeo also help me out at track work as well but Bonnie has been on Honest Natalie mostly.”
The duo, Thomson and Mclellan, also combined with Mishani Redman earlier in the day at Cairns on Saturday, who ran fourth in the Benchmark 69 Handicap.
In the Class 1 Handicap (1500m), Honest Natalie dug deep in the straight to score from the Rowe team, Viva Las Vegas and Nick’s Night Out.
Honest Natalie is likely to now head for a spell before targeting staying races.