Mark Riley admitted he has had his problems with Grande Rosso, however, they are just a memory now, evidenced by the gelding’s brilliant win in the Mel Seccull Handicap.

After drawing a good gate he settled in well behind the leader, Rose Of Texas who had to be ridden hard before reaching the lead.

The winner, Grande Rosso ,was always there waiting to be called upon, Stephen Baster didn’t appear to be concerned, he was playing a waiting game, he had a lot of horse underneath him.

The gelding has been sparingly raced, this was just his 14^th start, he will be further improved with Mark likely to try, and ultimately to get him out, to 2000 metres.

Riley commenced training at Caulfield where he had success with Mookta winning the Oakleigh Plate and the Newmarket Handicap, he has since moved to Mornington where he is well established.

He may well be the only person that rode an Oakleigh Plate winner, the brilliant filly, Mistress Anne, and some years later in 1993 trained Mookta to win the 1100 metres scamper at the Heath.

His riding career blossomed, on the central coast of New South Wales, when he rode Mistress Anne to defeat Luskin Star on his home track in the Northern Slipper at Broadmeadow (Newcastle), both started equal favourite at 5-4 in a field of nine runners..

Luskin Star went on to win the Golden Slipper, the only defeat he suffered in nine starts was at the hands of Mistress Anne.

Grande Rosso winning the Mal Seccull Hcp