Jamieson Excited To Ride Caulfield Guineas Outsider

Lucky Tom is currently available at the lengthy 2014 Caulfield Guineas odds of $81, but Queensland-based apprentice Rikki Jamieson is thrilled to be able to ride the talented gelding in the Group 1 event at Caulfield on Saturday.

Lucky Tom will make his Group 1 debut in the 2014 Caulfield Guineas this weekend.

Lucky Tom will make his Group 1 debut in the 2014 Caulfield Guineas this weekend. Photo by: Daniel Costello

Jamieson made her riding debut during the 2011/2012 racing season and has been a consistent performer in Queensland; riding 113 winners since making her debut, including the Listed The Phoenix (1400m) on Lucky Tom during the 2014 Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival.

The apprentice hoop made her Group 1 riding debut when she partnered Moon And The Stars for master Harold Norman in the Queensland Oaks (2400m) at Eagle Farm on May 31, but there is no doubt Jamieson faces the biggest challenge of her riding career when she takes on some of the best jockeys in the world in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) this weekend.

Jamieson told Racing Ahead that she is a mixture of nerves and excited heading into the Caulfield Guineas, but said that she is extremely grateful to have the opportunity to ride in one of the biggest races on the Australian racing calendar.

“It is very exciting,” Jamieson said.

“The support from Harold (Norman) and the owners that he has had for years is unbelievable.

“For them to have enough faith in me to keep me on and let me ride him, I don’t have words.

“It is just really, really great.”

Lucky Tom stamped himself as a horse to watch when he recorded an impressive three lengths victory in the Listed The Phoenix (1400m) at Eagle Farm on May 31 and he started his spring preparation with fair performances in the Australian Polo Handicap (1200m) at Doomben on August 23 and the Boston Salon Handicap (1200m) at the same venue on September 6.

The Lucky Owners gelding finished towards the tail of the field in the Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m), but Jamieson said that the three-year-old had felt the track and was back to his best for the Caulfield Guineas this weekend.

“He has been pretty consistent,” Jamieson said.

“Last time the track was a little bit too hard and he didn’t pull up too well after travelling down and he actually pulled up with a bit of a stone bruise, but he has come through alright.

“It took him a couple of days to get over, but he seems to be back on his game now.”

Lucky Tom has drifted by $67 to $81 in 2014 Caulfield Guineas betting markets, while Rich Enuff ($2.30) remains a dominant favourite from Looks Like The Cat ($6.50), Shooting To Win ($7) and Almalad ($7.50).

About The Author

Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.