Jockeys forced to make long drive
TOP-FLIGHT jockeys Hugh Bowman and Tommy Berry will endure a 10-hour drive to Melbourne tomorrow, as the industry begins to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bowman’s agent Bryan Haskins is driving the pair in order for them to fulfil engagements at The Valley on Friday night, including the Group 1 William Reid Stakes.
Under strict new Racing Victoria rules, jockeys can only travel interstate by private car or charter flight to reduce the risk of any riders contracting coronavirus.
In a sign of jockey solidarity, Bowman and Berry have seats on a $12,000 charter flight back to Sydney for Saturday’s Golden Slipper meeting with Damien Oliver, Craig Williams, Damien Lane and Mark Zahra.
Bowman is not without a chance of completing a 24hour two-state Group 1 double, with fancied runners Bivouac (William Reid) and Farnan (Golden Slipper).
“They’ll go together, the Melbourne boys, because they’ve got to get up to the Slipper,” Haskins said. “I’m going to drive (Bowman) and Tommy Berry down to Melbourne because they had to get their own separate flight and it would cost an extra $12,000 or something ridiculous.”
Victorian-based Kiwi jockey Michael Walker will travel to Sydney, after fulfilling rides at Pakenham tomorrow, as Blue Diamond winner Tagaloa aims for Australia’s premier two-year-old Group 1 double.
The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained Japanesebred stallion prospect Tagaloa worked nicely at Randwick yesterday and firmed into $5 favourite with Ladbrokes after drawing ideally in barrier six.
“He galloped this morning on the course proper, the very wet course proper, at Randwick and got through the ground great,” Busuttin said.
“He’ll strip down to 100 per cent order (for Saturday) … I think he can pull it off.
“You can’t get too ahead of yourself, it’s obviously the Slipper with plenty of chances, but I think he’s as good a chance as any of them.”
Busuttin also confirmed he had resisted the temptation to have Tagaloa race in blinkers in the Golden Slipper.
“I worked him twice in blinkers and he didn’t go as well as I hoped,’’ Busuttin said.
“So I thought, ‘If it ain’t broke, why fix it?’.’’