Ready to continue winning feeling
FRESH from a successful night at Club Menangle last Saturday, Bailey McDonough hopes to continue the winning feeling when he returns to the world class venue today.
McDonough registered a treble during the weekend, scoring with the Jarrod Alchin-trained Thalassophobia, the Adam Kelly-prepared Raging Whitebait and exciting pacer Double Lou, which he trains.
To connection's delight, Double Lou's victory in the Hondo Grattan Stake earned the son of Sweet Lou more than just the lion's share of the prizemoney.
Named after one of harness racing's all-time greats, the feature doubled as a qualifier for the famed Chariots Of Fire.
Australasia's premier four-year-old event, the $250,000 Chariots Of Fire is scheduled to be conducted at Club Menangle on Saturday, March 7.
As for McDonough's pending engagements, he will begin the day by combining with Kelly again to drive Gidgett Kay.
A well-bred filly, Gidgett Kay completed an impressive debut around the 1400-metre circuit a fortnight ago with Ashleigh Delosa in the cart.
After travelling in the coveted one-one, Gidgett Kay covered the mile in a slick 1:54.9.
Bred and owned by Kelly, the three-year-old is from former classy race mare Sandy Kay, which boasts a perfect record from four foals as a matron.
Gidgett Kay faces a difficult task this time around, however, after drawing the outside of the front row - barrier 10.
Also making a winning debut before running second at his following start, Emperor shapes as the one to beat for champion horseman Luke McCarthy.
A half-brother to multiple Group One winner Mach Dan, Emperor will begin from barrier five.
Later on the card McDonough and Kelly will join forces in search of glory with Showmethetanlines.
A promising son of Downbytheseaside, Showmethetanlines boasts four wins and a pair of placings from seven starts.
Facing a tough task from barrier eight, Showmethetanlines is being primed for the New South Wales Derby heats on March 7,
Elsewhere on the card, McDonough will partner the Brad Abbott-trained What For, which has also fared poorly in barrier nine.
Abbott has four runners in the field, Vespa Stride from gate three, Classicmajor from four and Halloween in seven.
McDonough's drives also include Beachbabe Crocker for astute horseman Wayne Dimech.
First-up from an 11-week spell, Beachbabe Crocker has drawn to make a triumphant return from barrier two.
Bred and owned by South Australian businessman Gary Crocker, the daughter of Somebeachsomewhere was successful during her final outing before being sent to a paddock and has won both her trials in recent weeks.
