‘For the little guys’
GOLD Coast jockey Allan Chau described his maiden Group success on Supergiant as a win for the little guys – and trainer Michael Costa is getting in on the act too.
Chau, who has been on the country circuit since riding his first winner at Kempsey in 2004, broke through in Saturday’s $115,000 Group 3 Gunsynd Plate (1800m) at Eagle Farm in Brisbane.
The win for Supergiant ($10) was also the maiden Group success for Costa, with 33-year-old Chau now aiming to repeat the dose in the $175,000 Group 3 Rough Habit Plate (2200m) at Eagle Farm on June 6.
Chau made the move to the Gold Coast late last year and a vacancy for three-yearold gelding Supergiant’s first start – a win at Aquis Park on November 16 – kickstarted a partnership that led to a career highlight on Saturday.
“I always said hi to Michael, but never started riding for him until early December,” Chau said. “I wasn’t meant to be riding this big horse. They didn’t have a rider for a maiden at his first start, I didn’t have a ride, so they gave me the opportunity. He won impressively and ever since then it’s just one of those racing stories.
“Michael has been very loyal to me. A lot of owners and trainers prefer the highprofile jockeys, they stuck with me.
“He is a tricky horse to ride, I do know him very well, so that’s probably an advantage for me.
“As a kid you treasure these big moments. That’s what you work for. To be able to have that opportunity and pull it off was a big thrill.”
Chau’s fellow riders were also chuffed for him to get Saturday’s photo finish verdict.
“All the boys were really good. They were rapt and happy, because we’ve all been down that path. You start at the bottom,” he said.
“To see one of the little guys have the limelight on the big stage like (Saturday), it was good to see one of the little fellows achieve.
“I thought I had hung on, then a few of the barrier boys started cheering me on. I was confident after the line but didn’t want to go too early.
“It was one of those neverforget days.”
Chau said the extra distance in the Rough Habit Plate would pose no problems for Supergiant, who he says has a high cruising speed and is a natural stayer.
The weekend got even better for Costa yesterday when hoop Robbie Fradd steered home favourite Reus in the $21,000 Maiden Plate (1200m) at Ipswich.