Tim gets prized Aft Cabin ride
COLT EXCITES HOOP
STAR jockey Tim Clark wasn’t even in the saddle when he got an appreciation of Aft Cabin’s blinding acceleration last start.
Clark was riding Toronomica in the Eskimo Prince Stakes and appeared to be travelling well as he raced to the front at the top of the straight – only for Aft Cabin to sprint past him in a few strides.
As Aft Cabin cleared out from his rivals, Clark had a perfect view of the colt’s sheer speed and power which has him rated among the most exciting talents in Australian racing.
“From where I was sitting, Aft Cabin looked pretty impressive, he accelerated very quickly,’’ Clark said. “Hopefully he can hold that form on Saturday.’’
Clark is the envy of his peers having picked up the ride on Godolphin’s boom colt Aft Cabin, hot favourite at $1.65 for the Group 2 $400,000 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens.
With Aft Cabin’s regular jockey, James McDonald, in Melbourne to ride champion Nature Strip in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m), Godolphin trainer James Cummings turned to Clark to partner his brilliant three-year-old.
“Obviously, Aft Cabin is a really talented colt and he’s a nice pick-up ride,’’ Clark said.
“His win the other day was very impressive and to do it back in Sydney was important as he had already done it in Melbourne on that wet track at Caulfield (Guineas Prelude) last spring.
“I’m sure the team at Godolphin always knew Aft Cabin was a good horse but he proved it to the doubters last start.’’
Aft Cabin is among four early favourites Clark has from his book of eight rides at the Rosehill meeting.
The form jockey is also partnering Mariamia ($1.90) in the Group 2 $250,000 Millie Fox Stakes (1200m), Cross Talk ($2.10) in the Chandon Handicap (1400m) and Midwest ($2.80) in the Cleanaway Handicap (1100m).
Clark is hoping to build on what has been a successful start to the 2022-23 season, riding 45 winners on all tracks including 29 in Sydney to be top five in the jockey premiership. He’s also ridden two Group 1 winners – the seventh consecutive season he has won at least one major – and 10 stakes winners in total so far this season.
“It’s been a good start to the season,’’ Clark said. “I’m enjoying working with Tye (Angland, manager), I’m pleased with how things are going and I’m grateful for the support I’m getting from a number of stables.
“One goal I wanted to achieve was to ride a Group 1 winner in Melbourne. I was able to do that with Alligator Blood so I’ve ticked that box.’’
Alligator Blood won three times at Group 1 level under Clark last year, twice during the Melbourne spring carnival in the Underwood Stakes and Champions Mile, and also the Stradbroke Handicap back in June.