By Ray Hickson
It’s been a while since Blaike McDougall has had seven rides on a Saturday, a fact that’s not lost on him.
And when the chance arose to maintain an association with front-running miler Dreamforce in the Maroubra Mile (1600m) dropping his minimum weight for the day became a no-brainer.
It won't be an easy couple of days for McDougall, though, as he has seven rides at Port Macquarie on Friday, finishing at 7pm, and will have to front up for Randwick trackwork on Saturday morning.
“When my racing manager said Dreamforce was getting the light weight I just jumped on it straight away,’’ he said.
“I’ve been looking forward to the boys going away (to the Magic Millions). This is an opportunity and I’d like to take it with two hands and see if I can ride two or three winners.’’
Dreamforce’s trainer John Thompson gave McDougall a “12 out of 10’’ for his winning ride at Randwick on December 30 where the gelding put 5-1/2 lengths on his rivals.
It was an all the way win in the style the gelding has become known for but McDougall is adamant there’s more than one string to his bow and he’s prepared to enact a Plan B if needed.
Dreamforce's easy all the way win at Randwick - December 30
“When I got off him a fortnight ago I said we haven’t got to the bottom of him yet and he’d be better ridden with a sit,’’ he said.
“I thought this is the perfect opportunity to take a sit.
“It looked good the other day but it didn’t feel great. He wasn’t bolting through the bridle and I think in all his trackwork I’ve always worked him sitting off and he’s hit the line strong.
“So I’d love to be outside the lead or one-one and holding him up and seeing what he’s got.’’
When a leader runs a last 600m in 32.74, as Punters Intel data revealed Dreamforce did last start, they are almost impossible to run down.
But Dreamforce is likely to have competition for the lead on Saturday with top weight Supply And Demand, who will be giving Dreamforce 10kg, and Coolring expected to press forward.
“If he jumps a length in front then I’ll play it like that. I just think riding with a sit he will find another length,’’ McDougall said.
Dreamforce ($2.40 TAB) is one of two pre-post favourites the 23-year-old is engaged to ride, the other being Machinegun Jubs ($4.20) in the TAB Rewards Handicap (1200m).
The consistent five-year-old comes off a third behind Anatola at Randwick a month ago and McDougall said he’ll likely try to take advantage of an inside gate to offset her 60kg impost.
“We tried to ride her back the other day and I think it backfired a bit,’’ he said.
“We ran home in the same sectionals as the winner and it led. I’ll ride her wherever she’s happy but I don’t think we will be dragging her back.’’
Punters Intel confirmed that statement with both Anatola and Machinegun Jubs clocking a 34.26 final 600m.
McDougall’s other rides include Tip Top ($5) in the Book Summer Hospitality Today Handicap (1200m), who he will also ride at the 51kg, and he said Waking Moment ($17) can be a big improver in the TAB Handicap (2400m).
All the fields, form and replays for Satrurday's meeting at Royal Randwick