Ricky Maund With Swift Sands
Just four days before the end of last season Ricky took two horses to Geelong. They both won. It happened at Mornington ten days ago. And yesterday, he did it again at Geelong.
Swift Sands has raced on six occasions for Ricky. She is yet to miss a spot on the podium. Her run yesterday, followed an impressive last start win in a show case race at Cranbourne.
Her form had not been unnoticed by punters who sent her out as the favourite in the 0-68 for fillies and mares over 1200 metres at Geelong yesterday. Katelyn Mallyon who rode her in the Cranbourne win was on board. However Craig Newitt, aboard Miss Brilliance, had other ideas. He took her straight to the lead and was able to control the race. Turning, Swift Sands loomed, and the battle began. Miss Brilliance dug deep. It took the length of the straight but at the wire Swift Sands finally put her nose in front. “She really tries” said Katelyn after the race, “she is very tough.”
Ironically later in the day it was Craig Newitt who won on Gold Lining, Ricky’s second leg of the double. The plan was to go forward. But others in the race had the same plan. Exiting the straight during the 1,900 metre event Gold Lining found himself eight wide without cover. Craig quickly devised plan B – to go back. Coming to the home turn after travelling at the rear, Craig pushed the gelding wide again. Gold Lining responded and despite doing it at both ends was a runaway winner on the line.
The wins were Ricky’s eleventh and twelfth for the season from just thirty-six runners.
