McMahon finally pulls Trigger to Success

Michael Lee
Friday, May 08, 2009

Young jockey Ric McMahon returned from a three-day suspension to open his account at Kranji.

The former Brisbane champion apprentice began his six-month licence on April 1 but had been unsuccessful thus far in 19 rides. But there was no stopping the 20-year-old on Friday when he steered the aptly-named Trigger Success to victory in the $35,000 Maiden race (1200m) on Polytrack.

Always handy in second spot behind race-leader Monday Nite (Vlad Duric), Trigger Express rolled off to the outside at the top of the straight before making his move at the 250m to draw clear for a 1 ½ win under a cool ride from McMahon.

Ric McMahon scores his first win in Singapore by guiding Trigger Success to
victory in the opener on Friday night.

“It’s great to get the monkey off my back. To be honest, I’ve been sitting on a few slow horses before and didn’t have that many opportunities,” said McMahon.

“The suspension was just one of those setbacks you have to take in your stride. If anything it has made me work doubly hard to get that first win out of the way.

“Even if I was not riding during the suspension, I’ve been working at keeping my weight down, and it’s currently at 52kg.”

“The horse (Trigger Success) was always travelling well, and in the straight he was just too good for them.”

Winning trainer Steven Burridge was pleased he provided McMahon with his first winner, as he has always one to support jockeys who fall just off the top bracket.

“I always like to give rides to those jockeys who don’t get as much support from the big stables. He gave my horse a very good ride – very polished rider,” said Burridge.

“He just didn’t get as many opportunities. He’s here for six months and I’m sure he’ll do well.

“The winner did a good job today. He’s a gross horse that actually put on weight today (552kg from 550kg at his previous start), and we needed to get him race-trim.

“He looks pretty smart and I hope he can win a few more for us. The owner won the QEII Cup and the Piala Emas Sultan Selangor and it’s good that he’s won another race with us.”

Trigger Express is owned by Mr Lee Hee Mong, who heads the Funds Stable, and was purchased from trainer Gerald Ryan in Sydney after he won two trials.

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