Trainer Les Kelly is sticking with his winning formula by giving former professional bull rider Matt McGuren another chance to display his skills aboard Lucky Luna in the Schaefer Store Handicap at Doomben on Saturday.
McGuren, 21, rode his first Saturday metropolitan winner on Lucky Luna at Doomben last start which followed his first city success aboard Youthful Jack at a meeting afforded metropolitan status at Wyong in December.
The NSW country apprentice is indentured to Grafton trainer Alan Ryan but is currently on loan to Taree trainer Ross Stitt.
McGuren weighed 65kg when he first went to Ryan but his determination to ride saw him shed plenty of kilograms and he now comfortably rides around 55kg.
He is like many jockeys who came through pony clubs as a teenager before trying his hand as a bull rider at rodeos.
However, he switched to race riding after breaking his jaw and being knocked out several times on the rodeo circuit.
McGuren regularly rides around the NSW Northern Rivers and Gold Coast areas and had his first ride on Lucky Luna when the seven-year-old was runner-up at the Gold Coast in mid-December.
Kelly saw no reason to switch to a more experienced rider for Lucky Luna.
“He (Lucky Luna) struggles with big weights and needs a claiming rider most times,” Kelly said.
“He pulled up well following his win and he’ll be competitive again.
“I think Steel Zip is the one to beat but he’s got to run 1600 metres.”
Steel Zip will be on trial for the Group Three Newmarket Handicap (1400m) at Newcastle next month.
The Pat Duff-trained four-year-old returned to his best last start with an impressive victory in the Listed Sunshine Coast Cup (1400m) at Caloundra on February 5.
At his previous start, Steel Zip finished a creditable fourth to Spirit Of Boom in last month’s Magic Millions Cup (1400m) at the Gold Coast.
Kelly will also saddle up Chilled in the race but is not as confident about his chances.
Chilled, a Glen Colless mount, struggled to produce his best last start when the six-year-old beat just one home over 1400m at the Gold Coast on February 4.
“Chilled is looking for further than this and he had to lump 60 kilos and found it too short at the Gold Coast,” Kelly said.
