Racehorse TALK

McLellan is back and having a real 'Dig'
Clinton Payne
Tuesday, 2 June 2009


Former champion Sydney apprentice Darryl ‘Digger’ McLellan is hoping Sherzando can help reignite his career in the Ruse Tavern Handicap (1250m) at Canterbury on Wednesday.

The Jason Coyle-trained three-year-old was a winner on debut at Wyong for McLellan before being nosed out by the promising Altier at Rosehill a fortnight ago.

“I thought he was home at Rosehill but the winner came late and out in the centre of the track and I didn’t see it until we were past the line,” McLellan said.

“I wish it was closer to us because I thought my bloke started to stargaze a bit when he burst through and I think if he had seen it coming he would have found enough.”

McLellan said the step up in trip on Wednesday should suit his ride but the likelihood of a heavy track was an unknown.

“He got home strong at Rosehill so I think the extra journey is a plus but the wet track you won’t know about until he’s on it,” he said.

“I’ll just go out there thinking he will and we’ll see what happens.

“If he does I’m sure he will be up to the race in his ears using his last start as the yardstick.”

McLellan has been back in the saddle for a couple of months after a broken wrist and complications forced him to spend more than 12-months out of the saddle.

McLellan was involved in a racefall at Quirindi in 2007 and after making a comeback problems resurfaced in his hand and the jockey underwent another series of operations.

“It was a frustrating time but it’s all good now,” he said.

“With the big break my weight ballooned but I’m back to 55kgs on raceday without wasting.

“I’m working with a dietician and my weight is coming back down nicely so I’m confident I’ll be back riding at 53kgs in the not too distant future and that should help me get more opportunities.”

McLellan has ridden many good gallopers throughout his career and tasted Group I success aboard Magic Of Money in the 1995 Galaxy and Henderson Bay in the 2002 Sydney Cup.

He also steered the great Lonhro to victory in the 2001 Warwick Stakes