By Jonny Turner
The winning chances that Rory McIlwrick teams up with at Winton on Thursday are in good hands.
McIlwrick has been on a winning run recently, but not in the way many punters would suspect. The horseman has been producing great results through his equine bodywork and massage business.
McIlwrick is hoping his hands can produce more success with his book of five drives at Winton.
They’ll be especially important when Claasee lines up behind the mobile to chase down her second career victory in Race 3, the Rheem Mobile Pace (4.16pm).
The mare looks the horse to beat on the strength of her two starts back from a spell.
“She ran on pretty well fresh up at Winton and then I was happy with her next run at Gore,” McIlwrick said.
“She was four back on the inside and in hindsight I maybe shouldn’t have come off.”
“It was impossible to make ground but she ran on quite well for fourth.”
From barrier 2, Claasee looks to get her winning shot on Thursday.
But it may depend on whether McIlwrick’s hands can worth their magic behind the mobile gate.
“She used to gallop a bit but she has been quite good this time in.”
“You would love to roll to the top from that draw, but making sure she does everything right is the most important thing.”
“If she ends up in a handy enough spot she should be a pretty good chance, it is an even field.”
Majestic Love is another of McIlwrick’s stronger winning hopes in race 5, the MM Brands Handicap Trot (5.19pm).
The reinsman combined with the mare to win the Gore Trotters Cup in December and with a similar effort she would be hard to hold out.
“She can be a funny horse, if she brought her A-game she would probably win.”
“She’s had a couple of runs back after a break and it looks like a bit of a drop back in class for her.”
“If she can bring her manners she would have to be a good each way chance.”
Ultimate Perfection has the ability to get among the placings in Race 6, Plumbing World Mobile Pace (5.47pm), but the pacer is looking like a risky proposition.
The four-year-old was charging around the field when breaking on the home turn in his last start at Gore.
But before that effort, Ultimate Perfection ran on nicely from the rear to run fifth at Winton.
“He definitely has the ability to be competitive but it is all about whether he can do things right.”
Sonny Jim and Velocity Jet look rough chances for McIlwrick at Winton.
