Special Missile hits target for McDougall
Special Missile was an obvious target for apprentice Blaike McDougall as he aimed for his first Saturday city win of the season.
Fortunately he convinced his master John Thompson to take the rapport he had built with the four-year-old gelding during track work to Rosehill on Saturday.
“After sitting in the lounge watching him win four in a row I thought I better send him a message and let him know that I’m here,” McDougall said.
“I’m thankful the boss trusted me to get the job done.”
Special Missile ($4) made it five-in-a-row with ease when scoring the Lindt Handicap (1500m) by 1-1/4 lengths.
Mapmaker ($7) was second and $3 favourite The Pharoah was three-quarters of a length back in third.
Thompson was full of praise for McDougall, who has issues with suspension after a promising start to last season.
“Eleven out of 10 to the kid. It was a very confident ride. He didn’t panic and rode with a lot of confidence,” Thompson said.
“It’s a credit to him, he has ridden the horse every day so he deserved the ride today and it was good to see him get the job done.”
“He knows the horse so well but still the way he done it was very impressive.”
Thompson was also delighted with Special Missile as he works through the grades by ticking off a Benchmark 80.
“He’s a real little gutsy bugger that gives his all every time he goes around,” he said.
“You can’t install that in horses and it’ll take him a long way.”