Young Hoop Bags Biggest Day at Cluden Park

Atherton apprentice Rachael Shred is riding high after a career best day with her first winning double at Cluden on Friday’s action-packed 11-race card.

The 23-year-old notched the milestone on two of the North’s best young horses – Missile Thunder and Palencia – for her boss Roy Chillemi.

Shred was denied a treble when hot favourite Paniagua was beaten narrowly by western bolter Breakdance in the Ferguson Electrical Hcp (1609m).

“I’m pretty sure it’s my first double here, so it’s my best day …  by far,” Shred said.

“It’s really good for my confidence.”

Shred turned in a perfectly judged ride to bring Missile Thunder from last in a small field to win the C.U.B. QTIS 2YO Hcp (1200m) and maintain the gelding’s unbeaten run.

The win on her track work pal Palencia was just as special after he fought back to beat Fire King by a nose with Lord Of Light a neck away third in the Vale Monica Wode QTIS 3YO Hcp (1300m).

Shred, whose apprenticeship has just weeks to run, said she had been keyed up for the big day.

“To be honest I was extremely nervous coming down to ride Missile Thunder because he’s unbeaten,” Shred said.

“But he has such a good brain on him he just settled out the back for me and when I asked him to go he just took off. I didn’t even have to pull the stick.

“It was a lot of fun and he definitely is exciting.

“I ride all of Pal’s (Palencia) work so it was really exciting to win on him too.

“At one point he (Fire King) got his head in front and Palencia fought back. 

“For a bit there I thought that horse has got me and I asked Pal for a bit more and he just went again.”

Palencia is headed for the $105,000 Northern QTIS 3YO Jewel (1300m) under handicap conditions in Townsville on May 20 while Missile Thunder’s main mission is the $100,000 2YO Classic at Cluden Park (1200m) at set weights on June 11.

Rockhampton sprinter The Egyptian is developing into a Cluden track specialist after scoring his third straight win over the Townsville 1000m course.

The Clinton Taylor-trained gelding led throughout in the Gallagher Insurance Open Hcp (1000m).

Olindo for the Stephen Massingham stable turned in a brilliant first-up performance to win the Mitavite BM 58 Hcp (1000m) by just over four lengths.

Curvetta reeled off a blistering finish to deny Raise Da Vibration in the In Memory Of Natalie Lee 58 Hcp (1000m).

A huge crowd of family and friends of the late Natalie Lee were on hand to watch the race and cheer on Raise Da Vibration who was part-owned by the popular owner.

In-form jockey Lacey Morrison edged further in front on the Townsville premiership with her 24th win for the season on the Sharlee Hoffman-trained Verbalizer Hygain CL6 Plate (1400m).

Pictured: A delighted Rachel Shred gives the victory sign after scoring an exciting victory on Palencia at Cluden on Friday.

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