Bush logic pays off
JOCKEY Quayde Krogh will make his long-awaited return to the Gold Coast this weekend as he prepares to link up with former Melbourne Cupwinning hoop and trainer Chris Munce.
Krogh is booked to ride the Munce-trained three-year-old Appreciated in tomorrow’s Maiden Handicap (1200m) at Aquis Park in what will be his first race at the Gold Coast since shifting to North Queensland three years ago.
“It will be good to ride back down that way again,” Krogh said.
The 26-year-old spent his early days in racing working under former master Bruce Hill on the Gold Coast but the man who was lured into the sport at the age of 20 after seeing a flyer in a window in Perth while working as an apprentice carpenter found it difficult to find his way.
“I just wasn’t really riding well enough to be there and probably needed to go learn the trade, so that is what I did in North Queensland,” Krogh said. “Bruce was a good boss and got me through my trials and up to race riding.
“He helped me where he could with rides but I probably needed to go out to the bush to learn the trade and that’s what I did.”
Krogh said the move paid off and after winning last season’s Townsville apprentice jockeys premiership he is confident he now has what it takes to succeed back where it all started.
“I have grown as a rider,” Krogh said.
“I’m more experienced and have been enjoying some success (in North Queensland).
“When you’re riding with confidence it’s a big thing.”
Krogh will link with Munce – who counts the 1998 Melbourne Cup win with Jezabeel
I PROBABLY NEEDED TO GO OUT TO THE BUSH TO LEARN THE TRADE AND THAT’S WHAT I DID QUAYDE KROGH
as one of 42 Group Ones he has as a jockey – at his Eagle Farm base in a fortnight.
A third at Ipswich in December is the best result of Appreciated’s four-run career and Krogh said improvement from the gelding is all he was looking for this weekend.
“I don’t think we are expecting too much,” Krogh said.
“There is definitely a bit of quality in the race. He has run one place in his career from four starts, so we are just looking to improve off that.”
Krogh will fly to the Gold Coast later today after completing two rides at the Townsville Turf Club.