SWAN Hill jockey Madison Lloyd rode into history at Warrnambool on Wednesday – the first female apprentice to win the $200,000 Wangoom Handicap.
And she also became only the second woman to win in the race’s 142-year history – the other was Linda Meech, who took it out in 2014 on Kneeling and was second, half a length behind Lloyd, on Wednesday.
The 1200m sprint – first run in 1880 – is one of the most prestigious, hard fought and sought-after wins on the regional Victorian racing calendar.
And Lloyd, riding Frankie Pinot, won it on a level playing field – there is no weight claim for apprentices in one of the highlights of the famous three-day Warrnambool meeting.
The list of winning jockeys on Wednesday was like a who’s who of Australian racing – Jamie Kah, Hugh Bowman, John Allen, fellow Swan Hill jockey Harry Coffey and Meech were all winners on the day.
Even better, Lloyd (who now rides for the McEvoys in Ballarat) was in the race because Frankie Pinot owners Anne and John McDonnell wanted her there, on their horse in the biggest race of its – and Lloyd’s – career because of her connection with the five-year-old gelding.
Trainer Calvin McEvoy said the McDonnells “were really keen on how she rides the horse and how he goes for her. They were keen to stick with her, which is lovely to see”.
“We thought today, short of his trip, that he would love the ground and when it got down to a Heavy 10 we were pretty happy and it was a beautiful ride from Maddy,” he said.
“She (Lloyd) rides him every day at home and does all the work so I’m very happy.”
It was an emotional, mud-splattered Lloyd who fronted the media post-race, struggling to contain her emotions, and trying to process the biggest win of her career – to date.
When asked about the run down the straight and the crowd’s roar, Lloyd almost surrendered to her emotions as she agreed she had heard the noise as it drove her through the last 250m and all the way to the line.
“I honestly can’t believe it, I can’t thank the connections and Tony and Calvin (McEvoy) enough,” Lloyd said.
“This horse means a lot to me; he’s done so well for me. I’ve had three wins and two seconds on him now. He’s a special horse for me.”
Special would be the understatement of the day.
Lloyd’s first metro double included her first win on Frankie Pinot at Sandown Lakeside in September last year and he was part of her first Saturday city double in December’s Pakenham Cup meeting.
“He jumped really well for me today, we’ve had a bit of trouble getting him into the barriers but we sorted him out today,” Lloyd said.
“So when he jumped and put himself there it was good, even though he tailed off a bit in the middle stages.
“Then around the corner I was ducking and weaving and had to find myself a bit of room, but he relishes this ground and geez he let rip didn’t he?
“Last year was my first time here and it was such a thrill, and I really can’t thank everyone enough.”
What Lloyd didn’t discuss was exactly how good – and mature – her winning ride was. Bringing up the rear of the 14 horse field half way around the track, Lloyd suddenly seemed to get into another gear and started driving Frankie Pinot forward, weaving in and out.
By the time they hit the turn into the home straight gaps were opening and Lloyd was right there to grab them.
But she saved the best for last, driving her horse down the middle of the track and when she surged into the open there no stopping her – and when she hit the line that dazzling Lloyd smile lit up the gloomy rain-soaked Warrnambool racecourse.
