It has been twenty-two months since McHale last tasted victory, but assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth is optimistic the stable has discovered the formula to end that drought.
The five-year-old gelding is set to compete in Saturday’s Listed Winter Stakes (1400m), searching for his first win since Rachel King steered him to success in the 2024 Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m).
Alysha Collett will partner McHale on Saturday, marking the first time a female jockey has ridden him since King. Duckworth believes this could be a significant factor.
“He obviously goes well for girls,” Duckworth stated.
“Whether people read into that or not – some do, some don’t – he won the Bill Ritchie with Rachel King and now he’s got Alysha Collett.
“It all sets up beautifully for him on Saturday.”
McHale’s most notable performance since his last win was a second-place finish in benchmark company at Rosehill last August, though he has shown competitiveness in several stakes races.
He was making good ground late when finishing fifth behind Midnight Dynamite first-up in the Civic Stakes (1400m). With a favourable draw on Saturday, Duckworth is hopeful McHale can secure a more forward position in the running and be a serious contender.
“When he won the Bill Ritchie leading into the Epsom, he looked like he was going to be a really promising horse, and he hit that mark and just hasn’t quite found his way through,” he explained.
“It was an awesome run first-up. He’s drawn much better, so he will naturally settle three lengths closer as a result.
“That should put him right in it. I think he’s a genuine winning chance.”
The Chris Waller stable will also field Matusalem, who is resuming and expected to benefit from the run, and Pippie Beach. Pippie Beach returns from a campaign in Queensland where she achieved Group 3 placings two starts prior.
“She’s going well. Two starts back was much better than last start which didn’t quite go to plan, but if she can bounce back to that form where she ran third to Pinito then she’s right in it,” Duckworth commented.
The impressive debut winner Omolong faces uncertainty regarding his participation in the Thank You ATC Members Handicap (1100m) due to an awkward barrier nine draw.
Omolong settled at the rear at Warwick Farm before launching a strong finish to win, but Duckworth noted the difficulty of overcoming a significant start over the 1100m at Rosehill. A decision will be made after scratchings.
“There is no real rush with him. There are options next week and the week after, over different distances, admittedly,” Duckworth advised.
Stablemates Letters Patent and Joint Venture might be reserved for other races, while Defenseman will start from barrier four after finishing third first-up over 1250m at Canterbury.
“He is actually a really good horse, he just needs things to go his way and it hasn’t so far in his career,” Duckworth said of Defenseman. “But from a soft draw, he should be right up behind the leaders and give himself every opportunity.”
McHale looks a strong contender in the Winter Stakes. For those looking to place a wager, explore the extensive Australian betting sites available for this race.
