EVER since Wade Slinkard found out Blaike McDougall had started his apprenticeship, the trainer had been patiently waiting for an opportunity to use him.
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McDougall’s father Ron had rode for Slinkard more than two decades ago and the experienced horseman wanted to give the retired jockey’s son a chance in the saddle too.
“His father [Ron] used to ride for me on horses like Giant Slide all those years ago so I waited until I needed an apprentice [to use him],” Slinkard said after McDougall won on Too Chic at Kembla Grange.
“I watched him for a while and I am very happy with him.”
Slinkard would have been even more impressed with McDougall when the apprentice saluted for him in Kembla’s Rising Star series heat on Tuesday. Too Chic ($6.50) was caught three wide, but finished off strongly to beat Peter and Paul Snowden trained Bagua ($5.50) by ¾ length in the Hollymount Bloodstock Benchmark 60 Handicap (1600m).
Gwenda Markwell’s Macedonianprincess ($8) a further half head back third.
“[The Rising Star series races] are the sort of race I really wanted to win,” McDougall said.
“I am still trying to make a name for myself and winning these sort of races will help that.
“I was stuck three deep with no cover but my horse was happy, comfortable and travelling nicely.
“I started to increase the speed at the right time and my horse is just finding its solid form.”
The win takes Too Chic’s record to six wins and 12 placings from 39 starts.
