Win to savour for Blaike McDougall

While Hugh Bowman and Brenton Avdulla remain in a holding pattern in the Sydney jockey’s premiership race, Blaike McDougall has nailed what he hopes will be a significant win at Warwick Farm.

Suspension-prone McDougall saluted for just the second time in 50 starts after piloting Akasaki to the post in a Benchmark Handicap (1100m) on Wednesday, a ride made possible through a family connection.

Former Sydney trainer Stephen Jones was McDougall’s father Ron’s master many years ago and on the strength of that bond he offered Blaike a rare city ride three days after his latest suspension expired.

An emotional McDougall thanked Jones for the vote of confidence after the $4.40 joint favourite beat I Can Rock ($8) by three-quarters of a length.

“I’ve had eight suspensions this year. I’ve probably sat on the sidelines for four months of the season,” McDougall said.

“I started off pretty well this season, I was riding a lot of winners everywhere.

“I can’t get a ride now. It’s so competitive in town. There’s that many good, young apprentices coming through the ranks.

“As soon as you get outed there’s someone to fill your spot straight away.

“This is my third day back from suspension so it’s nice to get a winner, especially for Mr Jones.

“My father was apprenticed to Stephen 20-plus years ago. It’s my first ride for him so it’s great to get off on the right step.”

Jones, who spent a decade training out of Canterbury and Rosehill before spending 10 years on the Gold Coast, returned to NSW in January to set up a Scone stable and was happy to extend a helping hand to McDougall.

“I had a look at Blaike when I thought I had one good enough. He’s done the job, it was a great ride,” he said.

Jones trained his first winner at Warwick Farm in 1984 when Brother Nero won the Minto Handicap and Akasaki’s success was just as memorable.

“His last run here (fourth on June 12) was a good run,” he said.

“We thought we’d give him another crack. I think he’s the best he’s been, today. He looked magnificent and he performed accordingly.”

Seven jockeys rode winners, but Bowman and Avdulla were not among them so the former retains his half-win advantage with three meetings remaining.

Credit: AAP

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