MISS MCKINLEY FIGHTS HER WAY TO A SECOND SUCCESSIVE WIN
By Graham Potter | Wednesday, April 6, 2022
On April 6 at Ipswich, a month after she had won a Class 4 Handicap over 1100m on the Poly Track at the Sunshine Coast, Miss McKinley made it two in a row with a thrilling victory in a Class 4 Handicap over 1200m.
It that win at the Sunshine Coast Miss McKinley had shown she was up for a fight, and she took that determination and true grit to a new level here in a finish in which it was easier to lose than to win.
Miss McKinley ($8), who was being ridden by Jaden Lloyd for the first time, wasn’t the best away, but Lloyd quickly railed her up from the number one barrier draw and she settled in a handy fourth spot, holding the rail, less than two lengths off the leader.
Miss McKinley improved up to third place in the sweep to the turn, galloping comfortably with Lloyd looking as if he had plenty in hand.
Lloyd did have to get more urgent in the saddle when the field straightened though … on two counts.
Firstly Kervac, the $1.90 favourite, and Magic In Me ($9.50) were both kicking on at the head of affairs and Miss McKinley couldn’t afford to give them any more leeway … and secondly, there was no small matter of having to find a run in which to produce a finishing effort as Miss MicKinley was bailed up behind horses early in the straight.
Lloyd did manage to shift Miss McKinley out marginally … just enough to target a gap which opened up ahead of her … and now it was up to the horse herself because there was still plenty of work to do.
That fighting spirit … that will to win, call it what you like … kicked in almost immediately though and Miss McKinley stretched out beautifully, in the end, easily reeling in Kevac and Magic In Me, who had to settle for second and third place respectively, to win a little more comfortably than the official half-length margin would suggest.
That’s five wins from ten starts now for Miss McKinley … the last two wins coming in succession.
You can’t argue with that.
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