Goulburn-based apprentice Amy Mclucas heeded the advice of Jamie Kah in landing a winner at her first ride in Melbourne.
McLucas partnered the Anthony and Sam Freedman -trained Unflinching in the Glen Orla Handicap (1000m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
After arriving at Moonee Valley, Kah took McLucas for a tour of the Moonee Valley 1000m circuit and pointed out as where she should be applying the pressure.
“I’ll have to thank my manager (Jordan Matthews), he organised it,” McLucas said.
“I took off when Jamie said I should be on my bike, and it worked out.
“He’s not the fastest out of the gates, but he does muster well. I was able to get a nice sit outside the lead and at the sign Jamie pointed out that was when I said go.
“He was just too good.”
Sent out the $1.90 favourite, Unflinching scored a three-quarter length win from Lady Solly ($9.50) with Joselyn ($13) the same margin away third.
McLucas said she was weighing up whether to make a permanent move to Victoria.
Following Saturday’s win on Unflinching, McLucas has ridden 108 winners of which eight have come in the metropolitan area.
“It’s definitely that is something on the cards,” McLucas said.
“I’m 50/50, not exactly sure what to do but after this, it is more enticing.
“My manager’s from down here. I’ve ridden 108 winners, eight in the city, and I still have my 3kg claim.”
Steve Adams, representing the Freedman stable, said McLucas rode Unflinching well after the three-time winner at Moonee Valley was slow to begin.
“He wasn’t great away, but she didn’t panic,” Adams said.
“She got him to relax beautifully as he is a speed horse and can overdo it, but she rode him really well.”
