Race Against Time too strong

Talented apprentice Madison Lloyd rode her first winner back from injury when Race Against Time scored at Warracknabeal on Tuesday, September 20.

It was a wonderfully rated front running ride by Lloyd on the Tony & Calvin McEvoy trained galloper.

The win gave the McEvoys a race-to-race winning double having won the previous event with Volpe Risorsa.

The 21-year-old apprentice won the feature Wangoom Handicap at Warrnambool in May on Frankie Pinot for the McEvoys, and it was subsequently discovered she had ridden with a fractured fibula.

Lloyd resumed riding in July but has restricted her rides because she is still not quite right.

Perhaps her luck has changed with Mitch Aitken booked to ride Race Against Time but he was injured in trackwork in the morning and Lloyd picked up the ride in the Manhari Metals Benchmark 58 Handicap (1800m).

Lloyd took the four-year-old straight to the front at Warracknabeal and rated him perfectly.

She got away with a moderate early tempo before picking up the pacer over the last 600 metres.

Race Against Time ($11) was never seriously challenged scoring by a length from Donatrice ($6) with Mulga Lil ($5), three-quarters of a length asway third.

Stable foreman Finn McCarthy said Race Against Time had appreciated the extra distance.

“The plan was not necessarily to lead,” McCarthy said.

“He just jumped so well at the beginning and Maddie (Lloyd) used her initiative to get him out in front and it worked out very well.

“We changed a few things with him today, we took off a lot of his gear and it just sparked him up a bit and seems to have done the job.

“He is definitely better over a bit further than his recent 1400 metre runs.

“His coat is just starting to come out as well, and he is looking good.”

McCarthy said it was terrible luck for Mitch Aitken who had been booked to ride both winners – Volpe Risorsa and Race Against Time.

“I’m sure Dean (Holland) and Maddie (Lloyd) won’t be complaining.”

Lloyd was delighted to be back riding a winner.

“I can’t thank Tony & Calvin enough for putting me on this horse,” Lloyd said.

“Mitch took a fall this morning, I hope he is alright.

“Today, Race Against Time jumped nice and quick.

“He has been getting too far back in his races and switching off too much.

“I elected to go to the front, he was doing it that easy and they let me slacken it off a heap.

“He went super from the 600 (metres).”

Lloyd said it had been great to be back in the saddle.

“I can’t keep myself away from the races.”