Callan Murray is hoping for a dream start to his South Australian riding career when he combines with Ironclad in the Listed Leon Macdonald Stakes (1400m) at Morphettville on Saturday.
Murray has been booked for five rides, none more interesting than Ironclad, who is marked the $2.40 favourite with tab.com.au at his first run back in what looms an exciting spring campaign. The Will Clarken gelding is nominated for the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup.
“It’s exciting, especially to get a ride on a horse like Ironclad,’’ Murray said.
Murray, who has been riding work for Clarken, partnered Ironclad in a Gawler jump out last week and said he was settling in well to his new life in Adelaide.
“I’m happy with how things are going,’’ Murray said.
“I’m just really looking forward to getting out there and riding,’’ he said.
Ironclad is one of three Leon Macdonald Stakes runners for Clarken after scratching Beau Rossa and he said the race looks devoid of speed which could see Second Slip pressing forward to a leading role.
“I expect Todd (Pannell) to take it up (lead) on Second Slip most probably,’’ Clarken said.
“But I like that horse ridden with cover generally.
“If Ironclad begins well, he’ll most probably end up there just the way the race maps.
“I can’t split them, Second Slip has returned a much better horse than what he was, just what that run the other day (in Melbourne) took out of him first-up remains to be seen,’’ he said.
