IT was raining cats and dogs on horses and jockeys at Mornington last Friday but you don’t mind getting a drenching if you win.

Which explains the big grin on Jye McNeil’s face after the $27,000 Rhon and Darryl Nation Plate over 1000m – on a big day of firsts.

It was the first run for Close To Midnight and when the three-year-old gelding hung on for the win it was the first for trainer Wil...