Hamish McNeill's loyalty was repaid at Riccarton Park yesterday when he celebrated the biggest victory of his career aboard Ready Eddie in the $75,000 Grand National Hurdles.
The 21-year-old Scottish jockey had made a commitment to ride the Awapuni fencer in the feature prior to events of last Saturday.
McNeill was true to his word, even though he partnered Go Go Gonzo to a runaway win in the Sydenham Hurdles on the opening day of the carnival and the Laura Knight-trained Ready Eddie proved worthy of his rider's confidence.
"I'm on cloud nine, this is what dreams are made of," McNeill said. "It's been a hard last couple of years with injuries, but this makes up for it. The horse gave me absolutely everything."
It has been a memorable winter for McNeill as he has also won the Manawatu Steeplechase aboard The Oysterman, who is trained by Knight's partner Stephen Nickalls.