Michael McNab to ride for Waller in Qld

Group One-winning New Zealand jockey Michael McNab has grasped the opportunity to try out as Chris Waller’s Queensland stable rider under Gold Coast foreman Paul Shailer.

“I fly out next Friday and I’ll get a look around the stables at the Gold Coast that day and then ride work there Saturday morning,” McNab told NZ Racing Desk.

“I’ll spend the day with Paul at Doomben for the Stradbroke Handicap just to see how it all works there. I’ll start riding full-time work for Chris on June 11 and have my first raceday rides over there on the 16th.

“Chris has undertaken to support me there and I’ll be riding for him. It’s a super opportunity.”

McNab has enjoyed something of a break-through season in New Zealand, compiling a personal-best season tally of 51 wins that has him ranked inside the top 10 jockeys.

He has also ridden seven stakes winners.

“A lot of it has just come down to attitude – to me really wanting to make a decent fist of being a jockey and being determined to make the most of my opportunities,” McNab said.

“I’ve had amazing support from the Te Akau team – David Ellis, Jamie Richards and Stephen Autridge – and also from the likes of Tony Pike, Nigel Tiley, Graham Richardson and Michael Pitman.

“And I’ve been lucky to have the complete backing of my agent, Aidan Rodley.

“It’s all led to this massive opportunity. I’ll be riding in a different country and riding for the biggest trainer in Australasian racing.

“I really can’t wait.”