APPRENTICE jockey Dan McGillivray has started writing his own racing chronicle after a winning debut in Roma on February 22.
The younger brother to the Queensland Oaks winning rider Matt McGillivray, Dan concluded his first day at the office with a win and two placings from a book of five engagements.
His "worst" result was finishing fifth aboard Strawberry Deluxe in the Brandon and Associates Class B Handicap (1000m).
Only a few minutes later in the Sydeva Haulage Bendemere Cup (1000m) he found the winning post before any of rivals, teaming with Malibu Affair (Smart Missle-Malibu Road) for a narrow, if comfortable victory.
Malibu Affair ($4.80) was having its first run following a spring spell.
Trainer Craig Smith, to whom McGillivray is indentured, sent Malibu Affair for a spell after an unplaced effort on November 16 and was uncertain whether he had sufficient dash in his legs to win over an unfavourably short trip. But they had enough zip to win, holding a margin of three-quarters of a length over runner-up Scrabble (Gary Geran).
McGillivray managed a second place finish on Third Rock behind Authadane in the Pickanjinnie Benchmark 50 Handicap (1200m) and also a third on Land The Crown in the Muggleton Maiden (1000m).
McGillivray, who rode showjumpers in Malaysia and thoroughbreds in morning exercise for the Dan Meagher stable in Singapore, met Smith at his brother's wedding in 2018.
He joined the stable later that year and will concentrate on refining his style but would eventually like to test his mettle in the city.
Co-incidentally, Matt McGillivray was also indentured to the Roma-based Smith who helped launch his career on a winning note.
"I am very pleased with Dan's debut on the racetrack," Matt said.
"I remember my first ride was a winner for Craig. I had three rides at that meeting in Roma for 1-2-3 and the feeling of confidence just boosted me and the adrenaline was through the roof.
"I'm sure he experienced the same.
"I am very proud of what he has achieved and I'm sure there are plenty of winners to come. I just hope he keeps improving and watching races as I did. I idolised (Hong Kong-based superstar) Joao Moreira before I was riding.
"Dad was a trainer, so I was the first jockey in the family and Daniel is doing a great job continuing the trend for the McGillivray name."
At Goondiwindi, trainer Luke Berger made the most of a road trip from his Inverell base to snare a double through Cathvalanna in the Strategic and Safety Training Class B (1000m) and Supreme Harmony in the John Edmonstone Open (1200m).
Cathvalanna was the first leg of riding double for Jodi Worley, who also scored with Positive Spin.
Kelly Gates (Belzu and Layla's Lad) and Sonja Wiseman (Attard and Lennon's Paddock) were also two-time winners on the card at Thangool.
Rain forced the abandonment of the planned meeting at Innisfail last weekend when 30mm of rain fell during the morning, rendering the course proper unsafe for racing.