Derby Day

Brenton Avdulla keeps eye in for Derby Day with a hit of polo

 

SYDNEY’S reigning premier jockey Brenton Avdulla had an unusual way of preparing for Derby day at Flemington – he took to the polo field on Friday.

“This is a bit different to race riding, I think the stewards would have me in a few times but it’s good fun,’’ Avdulla quipped.
Avdulla agreed to try his hand at polo as part of a Pacific Fair Magic Millions promotion. There are plans to kick-start The Star Magic Millions Carnival in January with a polo match, with organisers trying to persuade some of the nation’s top jockeys to be part of a Celebrity Exhibition game.
But at Flemington on Saturday, Avdulla will be doing what he does best – trying to ride winners. “I’ve got four rides and they are all chances but you need a bit of luck on these big days,’’ Avdulla said.

Brenton Avdulla tuned up for Derby Day with a hit of polo. Picture: Michael Klein

Boom colt Diplomatico is Avdulla’s best Group 1 ride when he lines up in the $1 million Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m).
Avdulla rode Diplomatico in a straight-track gallop at Flemington on Tuesday and said the Team Hawkes-trained three-year-old galloped well.
“Diplomatic did everything right in the gallop and he is a young horse with a lot of ability,’’ Avdulla said. “I guess the concern is he has only had only three starts but I’m sure he will run a very good race.’’
Avdulla’s other big-race rides are in-form mare Winter Bride in the Group 2 $300,000 The TAB Stakes (1200m), the Team Hawkes-trained Bella Martini in the Group 1 $500,000 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m), John Thompson’s Dreamforce in the Group 1 $1 million Kennedy Mile (1600m).

Diplomatico will face his biggest test in the Coolmore Stud Stakes. Picture: AAP

Dreamforce faces some tough opposition in the Kennedy Mile, including Godophin warhorse, Hartnell. If Hartnell can join Boban (2013) and the only winners of the Epsom Handicap-Kennedy Mile double in the last 30 years, he will also become only the 17th Australian galloper to win at least $6 million prizemoney.
Trainer James Cummings said Hartnell has done everything right since his game second in the Toorak Handicap behind Land Of Plenty last start.
“Hartnell has a 2.5kg weight turnaround with Land Of Plenty from the Toorak Handicap,’’ said Cummings, who also has first emergency Best Of Days in the Kennedy Mile.
“That should make things pretty interesting back at Flemington where Hartnell’s probably a length better horse.’’

James Cummings has been happy with Hartnell’s progress since the Toorak. Picture: Getty Images

Cummings said the decision to keep Hartnell in races up to 1600m has reinvigorated the eight-year-old gelding.
“He enjoys the shorter work as well as the shorter races. That’s what we’ve stuck to this campaign and he’s kept on running well,’’ Cummings said.
“I’d like to think that Hartnell can have another crack at him (Land Of Plenty) but that is not to discount his stablemate (Best Of Days) who might have the back of Hartnell and be chiming into the race really nicely with blinkers on first time.
“I haven’t had the chance to run Best Of Days at Flemington and he might just excel.’’
AUSTRALIA’S ALL-TIME LEADING PRIZEMONEY EARNERS
1 Winx $22,934,924
2 Makybe Diva $14,526,690
3 Sunline $11,351,610
4 Northerly $9,341,850
5 Redzel $8,823,000
6 Chautauqua $8,821,935
7 So You Think $8,813,497
8 Black Caviar $7,953,936
9 Buffering $7,300,190
10 Criterion $7,268,869
#If Hartnell wins the Kennedy Mile, he will jump from 21st to 16th on the all-time list with prizemoney totalling $6,133,749.

courtesy___www.dailytelegraph.com.au