Jockey Ric McMahon is hoping to put his career back on track with a win aboard winter carnival hopeful Fantastic Blue in the Inghams Handicap at Doomben on Saturday.
McMahon, 22, returned to riding a fortnight ago after a serving a three-month suspension for testing positive to the appetite suppressant Phentermine.
It was the second time McMahon has landed in hot water with stewards after previously serving a month-long ban for a similar offence.
The winner of three Brisbane apprentices’ championships, McMahon has vowed to fight his way back to the top of the riding ranks and has been working hard to keep his weight under control.
“I’m on a good diet now and the weight is coming down,” McMahon said.
“It’s been a struggle but I’m riding six days a week trackwork and I can ride 53 kilos at a pinch.
“I’ve had a battle with my weight but it all got too hard for me so I looked for the easy way out by taking Phentermine.”
McMahon’s three apprentices’ titles came in successive years from 2006 before riding as a senior over the past two years.
He rode successfully for three months in Singapore last season and is hoping Fantastic Blue will be his first city winner since landing a double at his last meeting at Doomben in December.
His biggest wins to date were at Group Three level on Fulmonti in the Chairman’s Handicap and Helideck in the BTC Sprint, both at Doomben in 2008.
“I’m really looking forward to riding Fantastic Blue,” McMahon said.
“My first meeting back was at the Gold Coast two weeks ago when I had two rides.
“I rode a winner aboard Vintage Black for Kelly Schweida but the other was a late scratching.
“I haven’t had a winner in town yet but hopefully the first will be on Saturday with Fantastic Blue.”
McMahon has three other rides later in the day aboard Vintage Black (Coca Cola Handicap), Jive Queen (Nestle Handicap) and Mr Nicholas (Pine Valley Flowers Handicap).
Fantastic Blue is being aimed at the Listed Toowoomba Cup (2150m) later this month before heading to the Brisbane winter carnival.
The gelding’s regular rider Scott Galloway, who is serving a careless riding suspension, rates Fantastic Blue favourably with Brian Smith’s former smart stayer Hume who broke down after winning six times from 18 starts.
AAP TURF
