Melea Castle was at it again at Doomben on Wednesday.
After bringing home the $1.75 betting sites favourite Tessatori with assurance in the opening race on the card, Castle, a 3kg claiming apprentice in town, rounded off her day with a scintillating win aboard the $6.50 chance Mystic Mac in a highly pressurised finish conjuring up a superb, rails hugging, come from behind effort to claim a bob-of-the-head victory as the first three placed runners crossed the line with only 0.06 of a length between them.
It was a ride of dogged, stubborn determination which brought its reward.
“He’s a tough little horse, that’s for sure,” said Castle, acknowledging Mystic Mac’s part in that win.
There is also nothing wrong with keeping the boss happy … both of those winners were for Castle’s boss, trainer Chris Meagher, who ended up with a notable treble on the day.
In the last three weeks, Castle has brought home nine winners from thirty-five rides (a 25.71% winning strike rate), underlining her progressive ability in the saddle while also staking her claim, in a no uncertain terms, to being offered more opportunities.
Those nine wins include this latest metropolitan double, another previous metropolitan double at Doomben on July 17, a double at Toowoomba on August 3, another win at Doomben, and wins at both Mackay and Rockhampton. Castle has also finished in second and third place three times each over the period in question (a 42.85% place strike rate).
That’s Impressive … and even more so when this hot run of form is put in stark perspective by the fact that in the entire 2023/24 season Castle only rode eleven winners!
So, you would be entitled to ask the question … what’s changed?
“Yeah, I had a shocking season last season,” admitted Castle … and, yes, quite a few things have changed … most definitely, and importantly, my mindset.
“You’ve got to take the bad with the good. It’s just a matter of having to keep pushing through.
“My boss (Chris Meagher) has been a great supporter of mine. He’s been great, not only on the track, but off the track. I’ve hit a few rough patches, and I honestly don’t think I would have got through them without Chris and his stable.
“Thankfully, the stable is flying at the moment,” added Castle.
“You’ve got to ride winners. If you are not riding winners, no matter how well you are riding, nobody notices you … so it is nice to get the ball rolling again.”