Trainer Mark Kavanagh's chances of winning the $1 million Newmarket Handicap with underrated sprinter Undeniably at Flemington on Saturday will largely rest with a jockey he's never met, reports The Age. It says: Earlier this week, Hong Kong-based rider Tim Clark was the first on the phone for the ride on the $50 outsider when Stephen Baster became unavailable after being suspended for his winning ride in the Australian Guineas last weekend. It made Kavanagh's job a little easier as he chases th
Trainer Mark Kavanagh's chances of winning the $1 million Newmarket Handicap with underrated sprinter Undeniably at Flemington on Saturday will largely rest with a jockey he's never met, reports The Age.
It says: Earlier this week, Hong Kong-based rider Tim Clark was the first on the phone for the ride on the $50 outsider when Stephen Baster became unavailable after being suspended for his winning ride in the Australian Guineas last weekend.
It made Kavanagh's job a little easier as he chases the Newmarket-Australian Cup double.
"I don't even know the guy, but he rang for the ride when Stephen got time," Kavanagh said. "He saw the run in the Oakleigh Plate and wanted to be on him, so you can't ask more than that. It was a very quickly made decision."
Kavanagh has only two runners at Flemington, and while Undeniably is contesting Melbourne's premier sprint, promising youngster Super Cool will attempt to become the first three-year-old since Saintly in 1996 to win the Australian Cup.
''The three-year-olds have generally run well in the Australian Cup without winning it [often]," he said. "There is not a standout weight-for-age horse this year - and that's what generally beats them. Green Moon looks a very good horse but he hasn't taken that step to weight-for-age yet. I think my bloke is going to be a pretty good horse come the spring and this is worth a go ... this will be it for him, he will go for a spell after Saturday." (www.theage.com.au)