Apprentice Madison Lloyd has landed her most important career victory guiding Frankie Pinot to a first-up win at Warrnambool.
Success in the Listed Wangoom Handicap (1200m) on Wednesday was her biggest success since the apprentice had her first ride in March 2019.
“Last year was my first year here (at Warrnambool) and I can’t thank everyone enough,” Lloyd said.
“The crowd noise was unbelievable. I could hear them when I was coming up the straight.”
A $12 chance in betting, Frankie Pinot defeated last year’s Wangoom winner Inn Keeper ($10) by a half-length with Showmanship ($7) a half-neck away third.
“I honestly can’t believe it,” Lloyd said.
“I can’t thank Tony and Calvin Mcevoy enough and this horse means the world to me.
“He’s given me three wins and a second on him now and he’s a really special horse for me now.”
Frankie Pinot was having his first start since winning at Pakenham over 1600m in December.
However, it did not stop the McEvoy stable from being confident of a forward showing from Frankie Pinot on Wednesday.
“It’s really exciting,” Calvin McEvoy said.
“We try and get a winner here every year and it is really tough to do.
“We thought today, the shorter trip and that he’d love the ground and when it got down to a (Heavy) 10 we were pretty happy.
“It was a beautiful ride by Maddie and well done to the McDonnell clan. They’ll be happy.
“John and Anne, the owners, they’re really keen on how Maddie rides the horse and on how he goes for her, so they were really keen to stick with her which is lovely to see.
“She rides him at home and does all the work, so we’re very happy.”
