Treble for in-form Dee at Sandown

Refreshed after a break where he also got engaged, jockey Michael Dee has hit the ground running in the lead up to the Melbourne Spring Carnival.

Dee landed a four-timer at Flemington late last month and has continued his good form into the early part of the new season.

The lightweight rider secured a double at Cranbourne last week and added a treble at Sandown on Wednesday, which exceeded his expectations.

“I came here hoping to ride one, to get three is such a bonus,” Dee said.

“I had a nice break, came back refreshed and hopefully I can keep the ball rolling.

“This is the time of year you need to be riding well and trying to cement your position in good stables and keep your momentum up.”

Dee started the day leading throughout on Agreeance for Amy and Ash Yargi in the Sportsbet Photo Finish Refund Plate (1600m) before guiding home two winners for Ciaron Maher – Royal Invader in the Senet Gambling Law Experts Handicap (1400m) and Aiming in the LocketLED.au Handicap (1600m).

Dee said he spreads himself around during the week riding for a variety of stables in the hope of picking up a good spring ride.

He said that work was starting to pay a dividend.

“I head to Cranbourne twice a week, ride jump-outs on Monday and gallops on Tuesday,” Dee said.

“I try and spread myself around a bit.

“I’m riding for most of the bigger stables and making most of the opportunities that I do get.”

While not locked in for any spring rides at this stage of the upcoming Carnival, Dee does have his eye on a horse that he is unbeaten on in the colt’s only two starts.

“I really like First Settler, the horse of Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, and owned by Yulong,” Dee said.

“He’s won those two races and looks very promising.”