GRAND Annual Steeplechase-winning jockey Clayton Douglas jokingly says the trophy cabinet at his Mornington property may need extending after the Warrnambool May Carnival next week.
Douglas, who has a dual trainer-jockey licence, rode Gold Medals to win the 2018 Annual.
He is booked to ride the 11-year-old in next Thursday's feature jumps race, but also rides and trains The Midnight Shift which runs in the $135,000 Galleywood Hurdle on Wednesday.
"I'll be calling on the services of my partner Jamie Kah to strap The Midnight Shift for the Galleywood," Douglas said.
"The Midnight Shift has won two jumps races in New Zealand.
"I've got my fingers crossed I might be able to add another trophy or two to the cabinet next week.
"But Jamie has me well and truly covered regarding trophies. She has a lot more than me.
"I've got trophies for the Annual and Brierly Steeplechase, plus a Lafferty Steeplechase and a Australian Hurdle. Jamie's won 50 stakes races, including five group ones.
"It's amazing the feature race wins Jamie has had in a very short time.
"The way Jamie is riding winners, we're going to have to extend the cabinet."
Kah, who rode four winners at the 2019 Warrnambool Carnival before riding one at last year's reduced two-day event because of COVID, hopes to have a few nice rides next week, according to Douglas.
"Jamie is already booked for a few rides at the 'Bool," he said.
"Jamie's got a wonderful carefree attitude.
"She doesn't get too uptight about things which she can't control.
"She just keeps things pretty simple and never panics in races. She's got great poise in the saddle. I think they're the attributes which make her such a top jockey."
Gold Medals' trainer Symon Wilde will decide within the next few days if the galloper will have a run in the Brierly before the Annual.
YES SIREE
AARON Purcell's decision to make the long trip from Warrnambool to Moe paid dividends when lightly raced four-year-old Sir Marengo scored an impressive four length victory over The Bounty and Pueblo in a 2400-metre restricted race on Sunday.
Purcell said the long-term goal for Sir Marengo was a jumps campaign, but for now his next run will be in a restricted flat race at the Warrnambool carnival next week.
"The race at Moe just suited Sir Marengo's program," he said.
"It's a long way to go for a run, but when win it's a short trip home. There's a restricted flat race at the 'Bool next week. Sir Marengo will have another couple of flat runs before he has a couple of hurdle runs later this season.
"We've done a lot of schooling with Sir Marengo over the hurdles and he jumps well.
"I think he's got a bright career in front of him.
"We're in no hurry, we'll just take him along slowly."
Sir Marengo was purchased for $20,000 by Purcell as a yearling in New Zealand.
From his 12 starts, Sir Marengo has won two races and earnt more than $33,000 in prizemoney.
Purcell said he may have six to eight runners over Warrnambool's three-day carnival, which starts next Tuesday.
ALMOST READY
IRISH-BORN apprentice Megan Dunseath is only weeks away from making her debut as a jumps jockey.
Dunseath, who is apprentice to former top jumps jockey Richard Cully, has to ride in seven more trials before she's granted her jumps jockey licence.
"I really can't wait until I can ride in races," the 26-year-old said.
"I'm really happy how things are progressing but it's just taken a bit of time. I've still got a few trials to ride in.
"I've been living in Australia for more than two years.
"I'm very grateful to Richard and his wife Lisa Whelan.
"They have been wonderful to me. Richard has just taken me along slowly, saying I need more experience under my belt.
"He's making sure I'm well educated before I make my debut as a jumps jockey."
Cully won the Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase twice as a jockey.
He was successful on Chaparro in 2014 and No Song No Supper in 2016.
HORNER HURT
BALLARAT-BASED jumps jockey Lee Horner is hoping to be back riding within four to six weeks after breaking his left leg in a race fall at Terang in March.
Horner said he's disappointed he'll miss riding at the Warrnambool May Carnival next week.
However, he'll be back for the jumps features later in the year.
BUSINESS END
TRAINERS and owners should take note of closing times for nominations, weights and acceptances for the three-day Warrnambool Carnival next week.
Nominations for the three days close at noon this Thursday.
Weights for next Tuesday will be released at 4pm Thursday, while weights for the second and third day are to be released this Friday.
Acceptances for next Tuesday are out on Friday afternoon.
The acceptances for next Wednesday and Thursday close next Monday morning.
WHO TO FOLLOW
FLYING AGENT: Impressive steeplechase trial last Friday. He'll be hard to beat in any jumps race that he runs in at Warrnambool.
PORT LOUIS: Was well backed but had no luck in the Champagne Stakes at Randwick. He looks to be a promising type.
EXCELMAN: Huge performance to run second on Saturday. He made plenty of ground over the concluding stages and is ready to win again.
VASSILATOR: Oten gets a mention here. He kept up his excellent record at Flemington with a strong win on Sunday. Keep on following him when he runs at headquarters.
RYAN MALONEY: Former Colac-based jockey who continually shows his skills in the saddle. Maloney booted home a winner at Doomben and could be one of the jockeys to follow at the upcoming Brisbane winter carnival.
DUKE OF PLUMPTON: Resumed with a fourth placing on Saturday. He has strong second-up form and will be tough to beat in similar company over more ground next time.
