Matheson rides his luck

APPRENTICE Kirk Matheson made the most of two pick-up rides to snare a winning double in the final two races at the Gold Coast this afternoon.
Matheson guided the Kelly Doughty-trained Little White Horse (pictured) to an overdue win after landing the ride this morning when fellow apprentice Patrick Keane was indisposed and was ruled out for the day.
And Toowoomba trainer John Dann secured Matheson for Kumali in the final event when the apprentice’s original mount was scratched.
Little White Horse ($3.20 fav) won her first race in 11 months when she drew away to win the Attwood Marshall Lawyers Class 2 Hcp (1300m) by a length from Court Success ($3.50). Topweight Chastelain ($9) was 2-3/4 lengths away in third.
“It’s almost been a year since her last win, although she’s has been consistent in that time and hasn’t been beaten far in her past two runs,’’ said part-owner Ian Lambert.
“She has raced on slow ground before and hasn’t been all that comfortable in it, but got through today’s heavy conditions pretty well.
“We also have her younger half-sister Little Brown Horse and another two-year-old coming through, also out of the same mare. ‘’
All three are out of the Groom Dancer mare Romantico.
John Dann was relieved to finally get the final race under way after rain had threatened the meeting later in the afternoon.
“This mare is by Easy Rocking out of a Palace Music mare and is a real swimmer,’’ he said. “She’s won her only two runs on really heavy ground. I was worried there was a chance the meeting might not last to the final race, but thankfully they got through the meeting and it all worked out.’’
Kumali ($4) came away for a one-length win in the Golf Oz Tours Benchmark 85 Hcp (1300m).
Story: Neil Archer
Photo: Trackside Photography Pty Ltd