Duric reveals ‘one thing’ driving him
Champion Singapore jockey Vlad Duric has been around long enough to know he won’t be going straight to the top of the pecking order in the Brisbane jockeys’ room but says his dominant day out on Saturday has laid the foundation for a winter carnival tilt in his new home town.
Duric notched up three winners at Doomben on Saturday as he announced himself back to
Australian punters and revealed he wants to tick off at least one more Australian major in what has been a glittering career in the saddle.
The Caulfield Cup winner has an impressive CV, but knows he is starting from scratch in Brisbane after making the move back to Australia with the imminent closure of Singapore racing.
“To be honest, over the years you become more humble and you realise there’s some really good riders here,” he said.
“I don’t expect trainers and owners to pull their established jockeys straight off their horses for me.
“I want to win another big race in Australia, that is the goal and it is one thing that is driving me.
“The winter carnival is coming up, so hopefully I can get on a few horses with my weight steadily coming down.
“With my weight being good, maybe I can get a light ride in a Stradbroke or something like that, that is the goal.
“If I keep working on that, I can be a lightweight option and I have a good association with a lot of trainers down south who will be bringing horses up.”
Duric is set to get the support of Queensland’s leading trainers, with Tony Gollan confirming he is keen to put him on his horses and Rob
Heathcote already providing the jockey with one of his three winners on Saturday.
“Of course, you’re the new face and a lot of the trainers and owners have their jockeys,” Duric said.
“It was the plan coming here at this time of the year, with winter coming up.
“Even on Saturday, it was a little bit hit and miss.
“I liked Arentee, I thought the Mishani (Sniper) horse had a chance and then it was a matter of whether Rob’s (Heathcote) horse (Northern Decree) put it together or not.”