HAVING won seven races at the tracks around Sydney, Meath jockey Declan McDonogh broke through for his maiden win in Sydney on Saturday, landing the Youth Insearch Inspire Mile at Randwick on Positive Problems for trainer Bjorn Baker.

The former Irish champion jockey sent the Sebring mare to the front from the jump. Superbly timed. McDonogh topped the ‘Randwick rise’ with enough in hand to just keep his challengers at bay as a trio hit the line with the margins, a nose, to a nose. Hugh Bowman on Medaille was the runner-up.

“I went at what I call a good European gallop, I went a good pace all the way and dragged them out,” said McDonogh. “When it went silent turning in I thought I’ve a chance because I still had a little bit of horse.”

The ride drew glowing praise from Baker’s racing manager Jack Bruce. “It was the ride of the century! She’s a fit horse and that’s the way to ride her. Once she got the break, that was the big thing.”

Connections were close in marking McDonogh’s first Sydney win. He and Bjorn Baker first met 12 years ago. “Bjorn came over when he was younger for a look at Irish racing and we took him to a few tracks,” added McDonogh.

Hugh Bowman was key in getting McDonogh to Australia.

“Hughie had been on to me for a while about heading out there and I decided this year was a good time to do it. We’ve always kept in touch since he spent time at Kevin Prendergast’s stables a number of years ago when I was working there,” said McDonogh back in November.

Just four days later McDonogh surely had the omen bet of the day taking the ride on Irish Optimism for Chris Waller in the last at Canterbury on Wednesday. Sure enough McDonogh got the result, getting the Irish-bred Approve gelding home by a nose, rewarding keen-eyed punters with a return of $19.