McGruddy scores $1000 with four festive winners

A double to Shaun McGruddy on Boxing Day not only helped him take the lead in the Great Southern Jockeys’ Premiership, he also claimed the $1000 on offer to any rider who could notch four winners across two Albany Racing Club festive fixtures last week.

With two meetings inside five days last week, the ARC put on a $1000 jockeys’ challenge for the first rider to boot home four winners across the two cards, and they had to score a winner on both December 22 and 26 to be eligible.

Only three jockeys remained a live hope heading into Boxing Day, but the rider for the strong Steve Wolfe stable took home a lucrative festive bonus after Cold As Cold and Mass Effect both saluted.

Cold As Cold was very impressive at his second career start, leading from barrier one and proving far too strong for Calbanesco in the home straight to win by 1¼ lengths to justify his red-hot $1.50 quote.

McGruddy then made it a double when he partnered Mass Effect, who lumped 59kg and settled near last before sliding forward nearing the home corner and sprin-ting powerfully to the line to down Prentice by one length.

Mass Effect has now won two of his past three starts and is a progressive horse on the up, according to McGruddy.

“Mass Effect with the 59kg was the most promising win,” McGruddy said.

“Going forward he should make the grade in town.

“It is always great to have success in Albany and thanks to the club for putting the $1000 up.

“It helped pay for the kids’ Christmas presents.”

After his four winners across the two meetings, McGruddy has leapt to the lead in the jockeys’ title with seven victories ahead of Mitchell Pateman on five.

Pateman had some joy on Boxing Day after Vino Beneteau dominated the Hallowell Stud Handicap (1500m), leading all the way to win by 2½ lengths for Albany trainer Jonathon Jachmann.

The Wolfe stable finished with a winning treble on the eight-race card after three-year-old Go Crying smashed his rivals in the Tabtouch Maiden (1230m).

Go Crying, ridden by Peter Knuckey, led from gate six and posted an impressive 4¾-length victory at the line.

Wolfe had big wraps on both maiden winners, saying they could progress to Saturday company as they developed.