Young reinsman aiming for first win

STILL in search of his maiden success, Mason Bigeni has three solid chances of registering that elusive victory at Club Menangle today.

A third generation horseman, Bigeni obtained his driver’s licence this season having gained a strong foundation through the Mini Trots system.

Bigeni’s grandfather Simon started the family’s passion for standardbreds as a trainer in Malta more than six decades ago before migrating to Australia.

The love of horses was passed on to Simon junior, who now prepares a boutique stable with his son Mason and his two brothers Jake, 23, Klayton, 20.

Jake and Klayton have made their way into the winners’ circle, while Bigeni has been among the placegetters in almost a third of his drives.

That could change for the 16-year-old, who will take the reins behind a pair of last start winners, including Chief Runningcloud in the opening event on the card.

Chief Runningcloud overcame a 40-metre back mark at the world class venue on July 14 with last Saturday night’s Inter Dominion winning reinsman Cameron Hart in the sulky.

Trainer David Waite is utilising Bigeni’s concession driver’s claim to allow Chief Runningcloud to drop back in class, with the son of Lawman the widest drawn in a field of 10 over 2300 metres.

“He went really well last week, so hopefully we can make it two in a row,” Bigeni said. “He’s got a bad number, but 2300 metres should help.”

Bigeni will then combine with the Leon Jurd-trained Mcwizard, which is also down in grade thanks to Bigeni’s ‘lift’.

Mcwizard scored from barrier seven on July 14 when Chris Geary guided him to a 1:53.2 performance over 1609 metres.

The four-year-old was second-up from a spell on that occasion and is destined to strip a lot fitter.

This time around Mcwizard will begin from gate six over the same distance.

“He did it tough in the chair and was very brave last time,” Bigeni said. “He’s quite quick too, so hopefully I can get the best out of him again.”

Bigeni’s final chance of the meeting is the Chris Judd-prepared Dom Toretto, which has been kept fresh since his third at Club Menangle a fortnight ago.

Bigeni is familiar with Dom Toretto as he began working for the Judd stable a few weeks ago.

“It is great working for Chris as I am learning so much on the job,” Bigeni said. “Chris is a terrific mentor, he sits down and discusses things before the race and then explains to me what I did right or wrong after a race.

“He is really giving me his time, which I appreciate.”

Drawn awkwardly in barrier seven, Dom Toretto’s previous win was around the 1400-metre circuit on May 5 with Hart in the sulky.

Judd has three runners in the field, with Montalbano faring best in gate four, while Vite Monet rounds out the trio from barrier eight.

“Dom will need to be fast and furious in that race as there are a few that go quite well,” Bigeni said. “Hopefully they are running along early which will suit him coming from behind.”