Dittman sitting pretty
GOLD Coast jockey Luke Dittman is set to continue his association with champion trainer Chris Waller when he partners Belushi in the QTIS Three-Years-Old Maiden Handicap (1400m) at Aquis Park on Saturday.
Dittman has had plenty of success on Waller-trained horses lately, including a winning Group 3 double at Doomben two weeks ago on Sure Knee in the Sapphire Stakes (1630m) and on Another Dollar in the Premiers Cup (2200m).
Dittman, who limits his rides to 56kg and above, is keen to ride for Waller whenever the opportunities arise at either the Saturday Metro meetings or at the Gold Coast when the handicap weights permit.
“I have been having a bit of luck with Chris Waller,” Dittman said.
‘He has been using me a bit up there (in Brisbane) and it is hard to say no to a big stable like that.
“I am just happy riding winners wherever they may be, but while Chris is supporting me and he has been asking me to go to town for him and I will continue to do that.
“If it is a more permanent thing then I will be there.
“I could have had a couple for him on Saturday at the Sunny Coast but they were under my limit.
“I can ride 56kg week in and week out, it is not a problem, and a little bit lighter when the weather starts warming up.
“I am comfortable around that mark.”
Belushi has had one race start and is likely to improve on his debut ninth in a Gold Coast 1400m Maiden two weeks ago.
Dittman will also team up with Coast trainer Les Kelly for three rides and has nominated Exploration in the Class 3 Plate (900m) as his best.
“They are pretty stock standard races those 900m sprints. You have to get out and get going,” Dittman said.
“He looks like he is more than capable, and I would say that he is my best ride for Les on the day.”
“He has had a couple of goes (on a wet track) for a couple of placings and there is no reason he should be affected by a wet track.”
Kelly will also leg Dittman up on to Spartan in the Class 1 Handicap over 1800m and Aggravate in the Class 5 Handicap over 1200m.
The prospect of a rain affected track shouldn’t affect the chances of Aggravate, who has won on a heavy surface, but Spartan is yet to be tested on anything worse than a soft 7 rating.
“At least we know Aggravate
is going to handle it if it does end up being a heavy track,” Dittman said.
Dittman will also be aboard Fearless Queen for Pat Duff in the Fillies and Mares Class 2 Plate (1400m) and he will team up with Gold Coast trainer Gary Doughty on Astral Knight in the Colts, Geldings and Entires Class 2 Plate (1400m).