Racing: Whelan notches double with different riding tactics

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Visiting Wanganui apprentice Lisa Whelan has made a quick impression with a winning double from her first two rides at Flemington yesterday.

The Irish-born jockey scored for her master Kevin Myers on Borrack who led all the way to win the 2800m handicap before storming home to win on the Patrick Payne-trained Baron Douro in the first division of the 1200m sprint.

"It is a bit hard to believe," said 25-year-old Whelan who had only the two rides at the meeting after being placed once in her first nine Australian rides in the past 10 days.

Whelan is on loan to Payne, who has been impressed with her riding skills and is keen to retain her for as long as possible. "She's a really nice young girl and has certainly been helpful to us.

"If we can get her to stay we certainly will as she claims 3kg in the city and 1.5kg in the country."

Whelan was unable to use her allowance in the non-claiming race on Borrack, who carried 68kg under the highweight conditions but she judged the race perfectly to score her first win in four rides on the 7-year-old.

The winner of four of his five runs this campaign in New Zealand, the hurdler started at $8 and underlined his versatility winning by 1 lengths from Crafty Cruiser ($4.20) and favourite Brungle Cry ($2.15).

Whelan also had a past association with Baron Douro, who was trained by Myers before Payne bought him as an unraced 2-year-old.

"Lisa actually trialled him in New Zealand before we bought him so I thought they would suit each other," Payne said.

Whelan feared she may have erred getting back so far on Baron Douro ($15) but with her allowance and racing in blinkers for the first time he was up to the task, powering away to 2-length victory over Vee Force ($9) and Daybreak ($17).

"I thought I may have been a little bit too far back but Patrick said to let him settle and it worked out."

While in Victoria, she is also helping to look after several Myers-trained horses who are based at Payne's Plumpton stables.AAP