Apprentice Savannah McCann goes bang

Home town girl Savannah McCann stole the show at Moranbah Race Club’s first race meeting for the year at Treasure Park racecourse on Saturday.

Fittingly, the theme for the well-attended meeting was promoted on a Ladies Day concept with Savannah Mccann producing a winning treble, aided by fellow apprentice Erin Molloy, making it four for the fairer gender.

It came as no surprise when rejuvenated jockey Ian French quipped "tell them this is one for the boys" when he returned triumphant on Nouverre Fille in the fifth and final race.

However, out on the racetrack the day belonged to teenager McCann, winning on Bevan Johnson's Sizzling RiverJohn Manzelmann's Splasher as well Manzelmann's sister Tracey Simmons' Chatilly.

McCann's winning treble came just a week after her race riding debut at Esk the previous Saturday.

The occasion was made all the more special at Moranbah races as her parents and siblings attended the meeting and shared the euphoria of an occasion that will provide lifelong memories.

"It is quite a day and I am thrilled to ride the winners here in Moranbah before the home crowd," McCann said.

She originally honed her skills with former Moranbah based trainer Bevan "Billy" Johnson.

It was ironic that the relocated Johnson, now in Barcaldine, provided McCann with her first race winner Sizzling River in the Class B Handicap. 

Race riding at her first day out on the track at Esk on March 18, McCann rode two thirds from three engagements.

Now her stats read three winners and two placings from seven rides.

Earlier on, McCann decided to leave Moranbah in her quest to become a jockey and sought and found opportunities in Brisbane, firstly with trainer Mick Lakey, before signing-up with Chris Munce.

Judging by her displays at Moranbah, McCann will be in demand on the country racing circuit where her current four kilograms allowance and her light riding weight of 50kg will be invaluable.

With no suitable country meetings available this coming Saturday, McCann will be back in action on Easter Saturday when there are a bevy of country race meetings to choose from.

The 22-year-old Molloy -  indentured to Tim Cook in Rockhampton - was her usual happy self after scoring of John Manzelmann's Wren Plucked at Moranbah.

It was Molloy's second race winner since sporting race day silks last month and comes after her win on the Cook-trained Augustawynd at Bowen on March 4.

Molloy comes from first class jockeying stock as she is a relative of the legendary Orange jockey Matey Molloy (now deceased) who won the 1964 Doomben 10,000 on Persian Puzzle.

She is also closely related to highly successful Toowoomba apprentice Jake Molloy.

As an apprentice jockey master Cook has developed the riding careers of Zoe White and Alisha Donald.


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