Digger Unearths Paydirt After Overseas Stint

Newcastle Herald

Saturday April 24, 2004

DARRYL McLellan heads to Newcastle today, hoping that the winning streak he has been enjoying since returning from overseas will continue.

McLellan has ridden six winners since returning from Macau, including a winning double at the Canterbury meeting on Wednesday.

``I could not have hoped for a better start," McLellan said. ``I am sure I am riding better now than before I left. I think competing in a hard racing arena like Macau, where there are jockeys from all round the world, can only improve you.

``I feel I am going well and I just have to keep the winning run going."

The man they call ``Digger" rides last-start winner Snippets Lad in race five and Oakfield King in race seven.

``Another winner or two on Saturday can only help the cause," he said yesterday.

Allan Robinson, who rode a double at Hawkesbury on Thursday, will get the chance early on to keep riding winners at Newcastle today when he rides Pimms in race one for Kris Lees.

Pimms was a tragedy beaten at Newcastle two runs ago, and then ran on strongly in Sydney last start.

He drops sharply in grade today.

Newcastle's premiership-winning jockey, Dale Spriggs, will also be a main player at today's Newcastle meeting.

Spriggs rides Hell Yeah in race two and Go Fil in race three.

Both look sensational chances.

Hell Yeah was just beaten in a strong maiden at Gosford last start.

Go Fil has had no luck at all in two recent starts, and from a good draw looks a good bet in race three.

Spriggs's other top mounts include Laurel (race six), Bold Flush (race seven), and Swift Truce (race eight).

The offices of the Racing NSW Stewards at Broadmeadow were broken into on Thursday night.

``The draws were rifled and the filing system was disrupted, but nothing else seems to be missing," chief provincial steward Steve Carvosso said. ``It looks as though were looking for money, but there was a fat chance of that happening."

And Shintaro, which proved a rising star while training in South Australia, has moved to the south-coast stables of Bede Murray.

And Shintaro will be nominated for the Wagga Town Plate before heading north for the Brisbane winter carnival.

Cadet steward Mark Holloway will take charge of his first meeting as chairman of stewards at the Cessnock Anzac Day meeting on Sunday.

Experienced steward Steve Railton, who was the chief steward in Queensland before moving south, will offer assistance.

Cessnock fields, Page 86

© 2004 Newcastle Herald

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