Amy McDonald could not have wished for a better advertisement of her skills as a jumps trainer than the victory of Master Poet at Sandown.
Ridden by Richard Cully and carrying the colours of champion jumper Wells who won the Crisp earlier in the day, Master Poet raced to a comprehensive victory in Sunday’s MRC Membership Renewal Hurdle (3400m).
McDonald trains a small team at Ballarat, predominantly jumpers, and said Sunday’s victory would do wonders for her career.
Master Poet was sourced in New Zealand by McDonald’s husband Lee Horner who partnered stablemate Flying Agent into fourth place in Sunday’s event.
“It’s a very good result for the owners who have had a bit of faith in us with this horse,” McDonald said.
“My husband Lee sourced this horse out of New Zealand and the owners were pretty keen to get him over here as a potential chaser.
“I thought his run at Pakenham (second) was sensational and he’s tidied up beautifully.”
With only six horses in work and a capacity of 10, McDonald is hands-on with her team.
She says it is hard watching from the stands as her horses go out to contest their races.
“You think you’ve got them right but you’re giving control away to the jockeys which is really difficult,” McDonald said.
“He’s done a great job as he’s travelled a lot better today with the blinkers on.
“I’ve got thank to Steve Pateman who said to put them back on after he rode him at Pakenham last time.
“I’m just ecstatic.”
With the jumps season nearing an end, McDonald will allow Master Poet to progress through the grades.
“Who knows, he could be a Grand National horse next year,” she said.
