Reith back on Veyron in George Main Stakes

Sydney jockey Christain Reith has been reinstated as the rider for New Zealander Veyron when he lines up in the Group 1 $350,000 George Main Stakes (1600m) at Randwick next week.

Veyron

Veyron and Christain Reith (yellow and blue) combine to win the Warwick Stakes at Warwick Farm. Photo by Steve Hart.

Reith was aboard the multiple Group 1 winner when he scored a last stride win over Streama in the Group 2 $175,000 Pro-Ride Warwick Stakes (1400m) at Warwick Farm on August 24.

Cambridge trainer Linda Laing has confirmed that regular rider, Zimbabwean born jockey Rogan Norvall, who was back on Veyron when a disappointing ninth to Hawkspur in the Group 2 $175,000 Tattersall’s Club Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on September 7, has been replace by Reith.

“Christian Reith will ride him in the George Main – the owners wanted the change of rider,” Laing told The Informant.

Norvall, who missed the ride in the Warwick Stakes because of a visa muck up, has been Veyron’s regular rider in New Zealand and has been aboard for three of Veyron’s five Group 1 wins.

Veyron was slow to begin at Randwick and according to the steward’s report was in trouble on several occasions during the race.

Laing has reported that Veyron has pulled up fine and she will be hoping for a trouble free run in the George Main Stakes at Randwick on Saturday week.

“The horse is good as gold and he beat himself last time when he missed the kick,” Laing said.

“He was simply too big for the barriers, they are a bit bigger at Warwick Farm than Rosehill or Randwick and he was a bit stiff after that run but he’s fine now.”

Spring Carnival plans for the eight year old following the George Main Stakes are still up in the air with the Group 1 $500,000 The Star Epsom (1600m) at Randwick on October 5 still a real option.

Laing won’t be rushed into making an Epsom decision and will assess the situation after the weights are released on the September 16.

“There’s the option of the Epsom and he’ll get 56kg and he hasn’t carried that for quite a while, but it is hard to get a horse to peak four times in seven weeks,” Laing said.

Veyron is currently marked as a $17 chance in the Epsom with the Chris Waller trained Sacred Falls the $9 favourite just ahead of Toydini at $9.50, Carlton House at $11, Streama at $12 and Shoot Out at $13.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.