Trainer Pat Carey and jockey Rhys McLeod have had a long association and that working relationship has continued with a winner at Flemington.
The pair teamed with Shakespearean Lass in the First Response Pharmacy Trophy (1000m) on Saturday giving the daughter of Written Tycoon her first success at Flemington.
Shakespearean Lass
Shakespearean Lass had been well-fancied in two previous Flemington runs but finished out of the money.
A drifter from $10 to $13, Shakespearean Lass settled on the speed before recording a 1-3/4 length victory from Tykiato ($6) with Miss Gidget ($7.50) a close third.
Carey said he took McLeod’s advice to remove the visor from Shakespearean Lass.
“Rhys has had a fair bit of input and so we took the visor off,” Carey said.
“He’s also of the opinion that she’s a little slow to change legs from time to time and it keeps her unbalanced.
“With that knowledge Rhys gave her a great ride and she went through the line strong.”
McLeod said his focus on Saturday was keeping the mare balanced and he cuddled her for as long as possible.
Carey said as a winner over 1200m at Moonee Valley and because of her low rating there were plenty of options for the mare in coming weeks.
