THERE are three certainties in life – death, taxes and Lesgo Don when he races at Moree.

Well, maybe not quite, but the popular galloper with a huge following again proved the spacious Moree track is his preferred circuit with a last-stride win in the 1400m Patrons’ BM-58 Handicap on Friday.

The win, his third over the track and distance from four starts, also provided the perfect tonic for comeback hoop Ella Drew, who returned to riding earlier in the week after being sidelined for several months through injury.

Drew, apprenticed to Scott Singleton at Scone, suffered a knee fracture when her mount, Time Ruler, fell at Tamworth on March 9.

After a lengthy lay-off, she returned to the track at Newcastle last Monday for three rides.

“It’s been a long journey, that’s for sure. This is my second meeting back and I’m just so thrilled to have a winner this early,” Drew said.

“I rode at Beaumont on Monday – that was my first meeting since the fall – and I couldn’t be happier to be back.

“I’m looking forward to what’s ahead – I love this job,” she smiled.

And there was no better way to be reunited with the winner’s stall than on Ridge Wilson’s Lesgo Don.

Drew and Lesgo Don teamed up 12 months ago to the day to win at Moree, and they produced a touch of deja vu on Friday to win again.

Inverell trainer Ridge Wilson, leading Puzzle Designer, gives riding instructions to Ella Drew, who rode stablemate Lesgo Don in the 1400m BM-58 handicap. Wilson had three runners in the race – winner Lesgo Don, runner-up Electric Evie and Puzzle Designer, which finished sixth.

Lesgo Don ($6) raced on the speed before taking over in the straight to score by a head from stablemate Electric Evie ($13) and Griffithstown Girl ($10).

“He’s a brilliant little horse and I’m really grateful to Ridge and the owners for putting me back on him,” Drew said.

“Ridge’s instructions were to be positive. The horse loves this track and needed to go forward from the sticky gate.

“I did everything I could to get him in a sweet spot and he did the rest. All credit to him, and to Ridge and the owners for sticking by him.

“It’s been a bit of a touch-and-go prep with him – a couple of health issues – but they’ve persevered and done the right thing by the horse.

“He thanked them by giving them a win before he goes out for a spell,” Drew said.

At 35 years of age, Drew is a late starter to the riding ranks.

She rode her first winner in March last year – Iron Hat for Jan Bowen – at her third ride, and has ridden 25 winners despite being sidelined most of this year with injury. She can still claim 2kg and has a busy few days ahead.

“I’ll ride at Muswellbrook on Melbourne Cup day, where I’ve got a couple of really nice rides for my boss, Scott Singleton,” Drew said.