Gun heavyweight jockey Dale Missen knows better than most the importance of grabbing every opportunity with both hands.
A former champion Victorian country apprentice Missen, 31, took north Queensland racing by storm when he relocated to Mackay four years ago for the heavier weight scale and promptly won Racing Queensland’s Provincial and Country jockey award in his first season.
He’s had the same impact on the Gold Coast since he made the venue his main focus 12 months ago and now he’s hoping the momentum will continue on Saturday after receiving a big opportunity of Magic Millions success with a surprise call up from the Tony McEvoy stable.
McEvoy has booked Missen for two rides including Adelaide colt Little Critter who can cement his spot in next week’s $2 million Magic Millions Classic field with a win in the $100,000 Magic Millions Tickets Online Now Handicap (900m).
Little Critter has been handed the visitor’s draw and will jump from barrier 10 in the field of 11 but the in-form Missen is confident he can overcome that.
“Good barriers win races – that’s for sure,” he said.
“But I’ll just have to do what I can to overcome it and hope for a bit of luck.
“I rode a bit for Tony without success when I was apprenticed in Melbourne so this is a great opportunity for me and I am grateful for it.
“The Gold Coast is very competitive but I’ve been happy with how I’ve been going since I moved to Brisbane last year and concentrated on the Coast.”
Little Critter is currently 16th in the order of entry for the Magic Millions Classic and a share of Saturday’s prizemoney will almost guarantee the Court Command colt a start in the 1200m feature.
At his last start Little Critter finished a creditable fourth to Hoss Amor in the $200,000 Wyong Magic Millions Classic (1100m) on December 22 after leading.
McEvoy has also booked Missen to ride Sky Raider in the Pamper Parties Gold Coast Handicap (1800m) but the gelding has also been handed a wide draw, 14, in the 19-horse field.
Meanwhile, the Simon Foster-trained Trusted Partner was installed the $3.60 favourite with TAB Sportsbet for the feature $100,000 Bat Out Of Hell Handicap (900m) after a field of 12 was declared on Thursday.
AAP TURF
