Racing: Macnab wins three amateur jockey premierships

Whanganui farmer Scott Macnab now has three Flair Amateur Jockey premierships to go with his Holy Grail, a Duke of Gloucester Cup.

Whanganui farmer Scott Macnab has won his third Flair Amateur Jockey's premiership, this year watching the final two races of the series from the sidelines.

The 45-year-old Parapara sheep and beef farmer went into the final day at Te Aroha on Sunday with 54 points, seven clear of fellow Whanganui amateur Caley Myers with New Plymouth hoop Linda Wheeler third on 45.

Macnab purposely sat the meeting out in the hope Myers, daughter of professional trainer Kevin Myers, could make a late dab to take the title. Kevin Myers provided the majority of horses for Macnab to post 3 wins, a second and three thirds in the 16 race series this year.

"I won the Duke of Gloucester Cup this year and that's the one I really wanted, so I sat out Te Aroha hoping Caley could win the series this year - she had two good rides on paper," Macnab said.

"I did drive the truck up (floating the Myers team to the final jumps day of the year) and watched from the sidelines, but it wasn't to be."

The best Myers could do in the heavy conditions was a sixth for one point, while Wheeler made a late charge with a second and seven points to fall two short of Macnab.

MacNab won his first premiership in 2012 and also went into the final race of the 2015 season with an unassailable lead to take top honours. He also has represented New Zealand at polo crosse on three occasions.

His father, Dave, was a multiple winner of the Duke of Gloucester Cup (the Holy Grail for amateurs), as a jockey (Red Lancer) and trainer (Sporting Luca and Jack Of Hearts).
That was Macnab's driving force for Macnab junior to claim his own.

His neice Sarah Macnab, now a professional apprenticed to Myers, won a Duke of Gloucester Cup at her first attempt last year.

"Sarah had one go at it and won, it took me seven years," Scott Macnab said.