READY TO ROCK ON RARE DERBY RIDE
JUST two months short of his 50th birthday, Darren Gauci knows what it’s like when the phone stops ringing for rides.
“If you’re riding winners it rings but if you stop riding winners, you’re lucky to get a wrong number,” he said.
The one-time golden boy is back in Group 1 action today, riding Ayers Rock for Cranbourne trainer Shawn Mathrick in the Victoria Derby.
It’s his only ride today and Group races these days are a rarity for Gauci.
But he’s not complaining as he points out that while he is capable of riding as well as ever, an abundance of talented jockeys are now higher in the pecking order. He also knows the general perception of him is as just a frontrunning rider.
“You get pigeonholed if you lead but, funny enough, you always get trainers who want you to,” Gauci said.
“Most races are won by horses on the pace anyway.
“There are a lot of good jockeys now and they are more of an even bunch to choose from and if you’re not tied to a major stable, it is a little bit harder.”
Gauci can’t remember the name of the horse or the year when he last rode in a Derby but says it was on a 200-1 shot.
“I am pleased to get this ride because he (Ayers Rock) is a nice horse,’’ he said. “As a three-year-old it’s the first time over the trip and they all have to run it and I’m sure he’ll run it if he settles. If he settles and luck goes our way, they’ll know he is in the race.’’
Gauci plans to go forward from barrier 12 and then hopefully have Ayers Rock running fourth or fifth with cover.
Mathrick put Gauci on Ayers Rocks three starts ago when he couldn’t find a hoop for the Morphettville Guineas. The gelding ran second, then won the UCI Stakes and was seventh in the Caulfield Classic, but Mathrick said he nearly fell at the 1200m mark.
As for Gauci, Mathrick rates him a champion rider and bloke. “Nothing seems to faze him,” he said.