EMERGING young trainer Ridge Wilson returns to Moree on Friday with a plan to register his first winner for new stable client, well-known Moree local Les Quinn.

Wilson, fresh from wins last week at Tamworth and Armidale, saddles up Quinn’s Lesgo Don in the 1300m Gwydir Gallop Class 1 Handicap.

The gelding backs up from a close-up second at Armidale last Saturday when beaten a short-head by rank outsider Dodgeball.

Lesgo Don, formerly trained at Moree by Peter Sinclair, returns to his old home track with apprentice Ella Drew retaining the ride.

Wilson, with a big team in work at Inverell, has no qualms with the six-day turnaround.

“He hasn’t had a saddle on his back since that race, and nor will he going into Moree. We’ve just kept him fresh,” Wilson said.

“The horse has drawn well (2), he’s got no weight (52kg) and he’s rock-hard fit. He ran a good second the other day, and he gets his chance to knock off the class one – and I’d love to see the horse win for Les, he’s a great fella.”

Three-kilo claimer Ella Drew doesn’t mind the Moree track, either.

Emerging Inverell trainer Ridge Wilson will start three runners at Moree on Friday.

She won the Moree Town Plate on gun sprinter Outishka on Fathers’ Day for Scott Singleton and helped create local turf history when every race at the eight-event cup meeting was won by female jockeys.

Drew was on board Lesgo Don when second at Armidale last Saturday. The gelding is Drew’s only ride on Friday.

“His run at Armidale was very good. We just need the same easy run in transit,” Drew said.

“Lesgo Don is an underrated trier, who gives his all but seems to find one better a lot of times.

“Hopefully, Friday will be his day, and also a day for Mr Quinn, his wonderfully involved and supportive owner.”

Like many bush racing observers, Drew said Ridge Wilson was a young trainer on the rise.

“Ridge is a talented, up-and-coming trainer who places his horses well,” Drew said.

“His strike rate proves he’s giving all the horses he nominates and runs, the absolute best chance at winning.”

Wilson also starts Banner Lad from barrier six in the 1400m Members’ Maiden Plate, with Wendy Peel in the saddle.

“He gets his chance with Wendy on board – she’s a very strong, vigorous rider and will suit the horse, and he’s drawn nicely in barrier six,” Wilson said.

Stablemate Waydie put wins together at Barraba and Armidale before finishing four lengths astern when seventh behind Spirit of Pluto at Armidale last Saturday.

The five-year-old, with three-kilo claimer Leeshelle Small booked to ride, jumps from barrier three in the 1200m B&W Rural-Adama BM-66 Handicap.

“He struck a little bit of trouble in the run the other day (when unplaced at Armidale),” Wilson said. “This is much harder, but it’s the only race I could find. He’s been looking for 1200m, which we’ve got at Moree, but I would’ve preferred a benchmark-58 for him.

“In saying that, he gets down to 52kg from an inside gate. He’ll have his chance, but that sort of grade is a big step-up from what he’s been racing against,” Wilson said.

Words and Image: Bill Poulos