It’s always a big thing when a rider lands their first winner.
But the other day, race caller Anthony Manton nearly fell out of his calling booth when 4kg apprentice Amy McLucas brought ATOMIC BLAST home to victory at Moruya in NSW.
In commentary, he said, “And look at this, Atomic Blast under the grand stand. It’s hit the outside running rail yet it’s won.”
He had been concentrating on the horses closer to the rails and didn’t really see Amy and Atomic Blast until near home.
“It couldn’t have gotten any wider if it tried,” he said.
“It must have hit the outside running rail.”
It didn’t but the win was unusual to be sure. Atomic Blast at $21, whose only other win to date was almost a year ago to the day, was coming home steadily out wide until Amy saw some even firmer ground and headed him right to the outside fence with 200m to travel.
It was then he flew home and won by a long head.
“It was great to get my first win on the board,” she said when asked how happy she was.
And it was even more satisfying as it was her first ride back since taking her debut fall, ironically at the same track 8 weeks ago.
That day she led until near home and was beaten a half length, but 25m past the post her mount dislodged her rather heavily.
“I can’t believe I’ve won at my first meeting back since my fall,” she said.
McLucas got into racing simply because she loves horses.
“I’m indentured to Jamie Stewart at Moruya, and yes, I got into racing for the love of the horse and I enjoy it very much!”
Strangely, her master Stewart is yet to put her on a horse.
Perhaps he will now that the 52kg apprentice is off and rolling.
Her initial win came at her 11th race ride.