THE FORECAST: New Jockey, Who Dis?

THE FORECAST: NEW JOCKEY, WHO DIS?

Racing can be a cruel game sometimes and the sacking of jockey Declan Bates from his long-time dance partner Pride of Jenni is a reminder of that. Horse and jockey splits happen every day, but high-profile changes always raise eyebrows especially when an owner makes a captain’s call.

To make it all more interesting, Bates will now ride Another Will against Pride of Jenni in the Champions Mile on Saturday. If he knocks off his old mate it won’t be the strangest thing we’ve seen this week; the Melbourne Cup winning jockey and trainer met on a P&O Cruise on Cup Day last year!

Usually nothing good happens on a cruise – just ask Mickey.

The Champions Mile is an absolute belter – barring VIA SISTINA who runs in the Champions Stakes – all the big names are in the field. ANTINO heads the market after his Toorak win but I reckon that win distorts things a little. MR BRIGHTSIDE gets back to his right trip, FANGIRL lobs in town for Waller and J-Mac, and BROADSIDING turns out again. It’s the greatest line up of star power since, well this…

VIA SISTINA is the obvious drawcard in the Champion’s Stakes but can she replicate the demolition job at The Valley? Caulfield Cup winner DUKE DE SESSA will give her something to run down, but is 2023 Cups hero WITHOUT A FIGHT the forgotten horse? It will be an amazing comeback if he can pull it off, up there with Kimmy K.

Let’s talk speed. GIGA KICK is on a comeback mission of his own and surely he’s cherry ripe for this? Problem is BELLA NIPPOTINA is riding the crest of a tidal wave – is she an unstoppable force here or can SUNSHINE IN PARIS or a rebuilt BARAQIEL drop in and spoil the party?

Up in Sydney, Rosehill rolls out another Tattslotto race the Five Diamonds – not sure what the significance of this one is, if this field is supposedly kidnapping horses from Champion’s Day, I don’t think we’re missing out on much.

BEST: Rosehill R8 No. 2 MAGIC TIME

BEST EACH-WAY: Flemington R8 No. 1 WITHOUT A FIGHT

BEST ROUGHIE: Flemington R6 No. 3 I AM UNSTOPPABLE