McNab having season to remember
Apprentice jockey Sam McNab is having a season to remember, which was further enhanced at Te Rapa on Saturday when he rode his first winning treble.
“It was awesome to get my first treble,” McNab said. “You obviously have to have the support and horse under you, but it was a big thrill.
“I did go into the day with a good book of rides and I was excited, so to get the rewards was really good, it was a very good day for me.”
The 19-year-old hoop started the day off in perfect fashion when winning the first race on the flat, the RDA Charity Raceday @ Cambridge Wednesday 1400, onPure Lotus(Lean Mean Machine) for his employer Tony Pike.
“Pure Lotus is a horse on the rise, and blinkers back on this preparation helped,” McNab said. “He jumped well, got a soft lead and kicked away. He was leading towards a win like that and he deserved it.”
He then doubled his tally when guiding home the Allan Sharrock-trainedTisse (NZ)(Belardo) in the Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate 22/8 Mile (1600m), before sealing the treble aboard the Stephen Marsh-trainedErin Go Bragh (NZ)(Vadamos) in the See You @ Te Rapa Tavern 1400.
“Tisse is preparing for the Cups races over further,” McNab said. “Over the mile they went quick, there was good tempo and had me off the bridle just about the whole way. With a quick tempo up front, they came back to me, and he was strong late to get the win.
“He is going to keep improving off it and he is going to be one to look out for in those staying races if he doesn’t get too much weight.
“Erin Go Bragh was a close second last start at Te Rapa. I thought he was the best horse in the race and I thought he was my best ride of the day.
“He jumped well and we did get taken on a little bit early, but he relaxed for me, I got him underneath me at the 500m and he really built and put them away. It was good to see him do that, it was a very promising win.”
McNab also scored two placings from his three other rides at the meeting, including a close runner-up result aboard Little Bit Of Love (NZ) (Time Test) in the Thanks Bernard Kneebone – 25 Years On The Clock 1200.
“He never runs a bad race and I was excited to be on him,” McNab said. “He is probably looking for 1400m now. Over 1200m he built late and was very good to the line. There were millimetres in it, but it was a terrific run, and he is another horse that does handle wet tracks, so he is one to look out for over winter.”
McNab’s trio of wins extended his season tally to 46 wins, including stakes victories aboard Agera (NZ) (Complacent) in the Gr.2 Tauranga Stakes (1530m) and Omega Boy (NZ) (Time Test) in the Gr.2 Japan Trophy (1600m), with more than $1.67 million in prizemoney.
“To have 50 wins in my first year of riding was a thrill but the season to date has gone really well,” McNab said. “I have had good support, not only from my boss but every other trainer that has helped me out. The people behind the scenes that have helped me has also been great.
“I have been thrilled with the way it is going but I just have to keep looking forward and hopefully improving.”
McNab is hoping he can extend his season tally at Cambridge’s synthetic meeting on Wednesday where he will have four rides, including Loopy Farooki (NZ) (Shocking) in the Ascot Farm (1300m), Bad Education (Bel Esprit) in the Shaw’s Wire Ropes (1300m), Rosina (NZ) (El Roca) in the TCL Earthworks (2000m), and Delz Abeel (NZ) (Swiss Ace) in the Cambridge Equine Hospital (1550m).
“Loopy Farooki trialled up well,” McNab said. “She may need the run but off her last trial, she hit the line really well at Waipa, so she should be a nice each way chance.
“Rosina never runs a bad race and I am looking forward to her. Delz Abeel loves the poly, his work going into Wednesday has been very good, and two kilos off his back he will be a key chance in the last.”
