Amy McLucas is keen to make the most of a six week extension to her apprenticeship, take advantage of some handy rides like her book at Randwick on Saturday, and finish the season with a flurry.
Amy McLucas (Pic: Steve Hart)
The 24-year-old has previously had a year added to her time as an apprentice, which was set to expire in just over weeks, but a successful application has seen August 3 set as the finishing date.
With 26 city winners to her name, McLucas would like to add as many to that tally as she can and with the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott stable behind her make the most of any ride that comes her way.
“I’d like to get the rest of the season under my belt and utilise my claim a bit more while I’ve still got it,’’ McLucas said.
“You get more opportunities with the claim. While all the big hoops are away for the carnival it’s a good time to jump in.
“It’d be a stretch to get to 50 but it’d be a pretty big accomplishment if I could get down to the 1.5kg. I’m very happy with what I’ve accomplished so far, I’m very proud of myself.”
Waterhouse and Bott supply three good rides for McLucas in the shape of Madrina in the Schweppes Handicap (1100m), Invincible Spy in the 50 Year And Life Member Handicap (2000m) and Missy Moola in the Foundation Female Member Handicap (1600m).
She rode the latter to a gallant second behind Konasana when resuming over 1400m two weeks ago and has been thrilled with her progress in her work at home, of which McLucas rides most, since then.
“She was super tough and the horse that beat her has won a Group race,’’ she said.
“She was first-up so she will be fitter for that run and she’s come through the run very well and is working great at home. She’s in a very good, happy, way at the moment.”
The presence of stablemate Redbreast in the field means McLucas may have to go to Plan B with the front-running filly but is confident they can adapt.
“Redbreast if they run will go forward and lead up so she’ll just probably sit off that one,’’ she said.
McLucas partnered Invincible Spy in his first-up run then has watched the gelding notch successive wins as he’s stepped up in distance so is excited to be back on board at Randwick.
After her claim, the three-year-old only rises half a kilogram on his gritty all the way win over 1800m last start which she hopes will help offset a wide alley.
“He’s still training on well and is a happy little horse. Unless he somehow comes to the end of his preparation I can’t see why he won’t run well again,’’ she said.
“There is a bit of speed in this race and he’s not drawn the best, so it depends on how the first half turns out for him.”
Madrina is another McLucas has previously ridden, on debut when narrowly beaten, and she feels the two-year-old will appreciate getting down to 54.5kg after the claim on what she carried when bumping into the promising Tehina first-up.
It’s worth noting that McLucas will get down to 52kg for Saturday’s Randwick meeting to ride Acappella Sun for Matthew Dale in the TAB Handicap (1000m).
She’s yet to finish worse than fourth in eight rides, including a win, on the mare and just hopes she doesn’t give away too much start fresh.
“She runs well for me which is good and I’ll take the full claim on her and ride 52kg,’’ she said.
“She just gets back and can give the race away a bit.”
– Racing NSW
