Racing: McKeon likes Wanganui

Queensland apprentice Gavin McKeon made an immediate impact when he started his latest stint in New Zealand yesterday.

McKeon rode the winners of the first two races at Wanganui, the first on Calm Globe for Manawatu trainer Matthew Eales, the second on Waikato long shot My Corona for Ralph Manning.

McKeon, who rode Seachange to win the One Thousand Guineas last month at his previous New Zealand sojourn, has this time returned for a longer spell that is expected to see him remain until April.

Yesterday was McKeon's second visit to Wanganui. On his debut at the track last month he rode Darkside Lass to victory for John Wheeler.

"Wanganui is a very, very good track - a good surface," McKeon said. "It's a tight, turning sort of a track and it takes a bit of steering, but it makes for very competitive riding.

"Everything seems to get their chance and I'm beginning to enjoy coming to Wanganui, especially if the winners keep coming."

The success of Calm Globe added to a growing list of winners for Eales, son of legendary trainer the late Noel Eales.

Since being granted a licence 18 months ago, Eales has saddled up nearly half a dozen winners.

"It's my favourite track at the moment," Eales said. "Dad trained zillions of winners here, but I've only saddled up about four or five from memory.

McKeon ended up with three wins for the day, when partnering second favourite King James to victory in race seven.

- NZPA