Trainer Symon Wilde has landed his first metropolitan double with Straight Jacket scoring a strong on-pace victory at Moonee Valley.
The gelding’s win in the $99 Summer Membership Handicap also provided his apprentice Melissa Julius with her first Saturday city success.
Coming off a last start win in the Bordertown Cup, Wilde considered starting Straight Jacket in Tuesday’s $20,000 Penshurst Cup.
But after drawing well in Saturday’s $120,000 Moonee Valley race, he elected to come to town and roll the dice.
“I’m just delighted for Melissa,” Wilde said.
“She does a great job around the stable. She’s working so hard and I’m just so glad she’s ridden a Saturday city winner for us.
“It’s great to get a city double. I’ve had a first and second before and this gives me the opportunity to thank all the staff at both our Ballarat and Warrnambool stables for their hard work.”
After racing on the speed, Straight Jacket ($8) held-off Multitude ($9) by a head with Shangani Patrol ($14) a length away third.
Wilde’s earlier winner came via Royal Applause in the McCahe Handicap who brought up a winning hat-trick.
Ridden by Andrew Mallyon, Royal Applause ($9) scored in a three-way slog by a short half-head from the $3.60 favourite Heavenly Descent with Miles Of Krishan ($5) a long head away third.
Wilde dropped Royal Applause back in grade to gain a confidence-boosting win in October that has seen the mare go on to win four of her past five starts.
“We dropped her back early in the prep and her confidence seems to be up,” Wilde said.
“When we got the people in I thought she’d be a city winner but I wasn’t expecting a Saturday win, but I’ll certainly take it.”
