Ethan Brown says riding a Group 1 winner is good but to ride the winner of one of the features would take it to the next level.
Brown rides in the Caulfield Cup for the first time on Saturdays when he partners with Godolphin galloper Alegron in the 2400m Group 1 handicap.
The jockey has three Group 1 victories to his credit, all for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, with one being aboard Caulfield Cup favourite Smokin’ Romans in the Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington.
With Smokin’ Romans not getting Brown’s minimum riding weight, the jockey had planned to be in Sydney on Saturday to ride in The Everest, but an injury to his mount Snapdancer ruled her out.
Brown said ‘his team’ worked quickly to secure a Caulfield Cup ride and was lucky to team with Godolphin and James Cummings.
“Group 1’s are good, but then you have the majors with the Caulfield Cup being one of them, so even to get a ride in one for the Godolphin stable is pretty amazing,” Brown said.
“With Snapdancer, unfortunately that’s the way racing goes sometimes, but I’m thrilled with this opportunity Godolphin have given me to ride Alegron in the Caulfield Cup, it’s massive.
“It’s my first ride in the Caulfield Cup. It’s a biggie, but I’m pretty relaxed about it, so I’ll take the opportunity, make the most of it and hopefully get a result on Saturday.”
Brown had his first sit on Alegron in trackwork at Caulfield on Tuesday.
Alegron had missed a start in the Turnbull Stakes with an elevated temperature, but Brown said he felt ready to go on Saturday.
“He’s very clean-winded, he felt sound in his action, and I don’t think he has missed a beat since he was scratched the other week,” Brown said.
“The Blue Army is flying and coming into Saturday he’s in the best possible order.”
No doubt Brown will be keeping an eye on Smokin’ Romans in the run after that galloper gave the rider his third Group 1 success.
“He gets in really well at the weights and has been well-prepared by Ciaron and Dave and he’s got a beautiful racing style that helps him,” Brown said.
“But I’m there to beat him on Saturday and I think I’m going in with a good chance.”