GAWLER trainer Michael McClean is making the long trek into the district with the hope of taking out the Sunraysia Daily Mallee Cup with Puissance Dusoleil at the bet365 Mildura meeting on Melbourne Cup Day at Sandilong Park tomorrow.
Puissance Dusoleil has been in the care of McClean since near the end of 2022 after she endured a long lay off because of a suspensory ligament leg injury. The talented mare has raced in consistent fashion for the stable with a win and seven placings from 14 starts.
“She had nine months in the paddock to recover from the injury and (part-owner) John Martin offered her to me, so I decided to give her a go and she recovered well from the injury and has had no problems since then,” McClean said.
Puissance Dusoleil brought up her last win at her home track at Gawler in February and also raced well at her only race start at the Mildura track when second behind Zambezi Khan on April 22.
“She ran well at her only run at Mildura and I sent her out for a spell soon after as she doesn’t like wet tracks, so the surface should be perfect for her (tomorrow) and hopefully she goes well as it does look a suitable race for her,” McClean said.
Puissance Dusoleil has had one trial to be ready for her resumption at Mildura and she has raced well when first up in the past.
“It was a good trial at Balaklava as she finished behind Secret War who is a smart sprinter so she is ready to return to the races,” he said.
McClean was a former showjumping rider who decided to try his hand at the thoroughbred racing industry 14 years ago.
“I decided to give it a go and it is certainly addictive as it was a big thrill when I achieved my first win,” he said.
McClean has a busy day tomorrow as he will also saddle up Africarn Lad and Lancelotto, while also having one runner at the Wentworth meeting in the first race on the program with Iconic Missile.
“I will take Iconic Missile to Wentworth and my sister will be in charge, while I have the other three at Mildura. Hopefully the bit of inconvenience is made all worthwhile,” he said.
Africarn Lad will tackle the first race on the program at Mildura and he is looking for his first win at start number 16, while Lancelotto will be a leading contender in the Mildura Cruises Handicap.
Lancelotto has recent winning form at Roxby Downs and Port Augusta and can continue on his winning way tomorrow.
“He has had a long preparation, but if he runs on his ability he can certainly win,” McClean said.
The main danger in the Sunraysia Daily Mallee Cup will be Kayseri, who recorded a narrow win in last year’s event, and Morphettville trainer Paula Trenwith will be eager to win the race again.
Kayseri will be ridden by SA-based jockey Stacey Metcalfe, who has been riding in good form on the country circuit over recent months.
The eight-year-old is ready to put in a top defence of his title after recording a fast-finishing third at Strathalbyn at his first run back from a spell and can continue his unbeaten status at Mildura tomorrow.
Local trainer Raharna McDonald has a two-pronged attack with Alaskan Storm and Bonsa Big Boy.
Alaskan Storm is racing in peak form after recording a fast-finishing win at Halidon on September 15 and then sprinted home hard again at Penola at her latest outing for another impressive victory and, although rising in class tomorrow, it is hard to fault winning form.
The first of six races on the program is the bet365 Maiden Plate to be run at 12.55pm and Tikken from the Richard Cully stable at Ballarat can bring up his first win at his third race start.
Tikken has finished midfield at his first two starts at Hamilton and Seymour and with added fitness he will find this race a winnable assignment.
There will be a host of activities to entertain the Cup Day patrons, including the Fashions on the Field and live entertainment. All of the racing action from the Flemington meeting, including the Melbourne Cup, will be shown live on the big screen.
The children will also be well catered for with the Arnie’s Laser Force, pony rides, jumping castle, face painting and the Enviro Edu reptile display.
The Dunne Pavilion will be open to the public.
Courtesy buses will be operating to and from the course at the start and the finish of the day at no cost and bookings are not required.
The bus routes and pick up times can be viewed on the country.racing.com/mildura website.
General Admission is $20 for adults and the on-course gates will open at 10.30am for a big day of racing and entertainment.
