Having seen Jerilderie Letter in action at close range in Tasmania earlier this year, Steven Arnold is looking forward to riding him for the first time at Flemington.
Tasmanian Derby winner Jerilderie Letter is set to back up in Saturday’s Silver Bowl Series Final (1600m) after an eye-catching introduction to Melbourne racing last Saturday at Caulfield when he ran home for a close fourth over 1200 metres.
The Adam Trinder-trained three-year-old won the Tasmanian Guineas, Hobart Guineas and Tasmanian Derby early this year, beating subsequent Group One winner Howard Be Thy Name in the Derby.
Arnold finished third on Al Shameel in the Tasmanian Derby and second on the same horse in the Hobart Guineas and formed a good opinion of the winner from competing in those races.
“He’s a lovely horse. He’s got a bit of quality about him,” Arnold said.
“I’ve watched him a bit and rode in a couple of those races in Tassie. He really impressed me. He ran well the other day and I think he’s got a bit of class.”
Apprentice Jake Bayliss rode Jerilderie Letter at Caulfield but Arnold has been called on to partner the topweight in Saturday’s non-claiming race.
Jerilderie Letter has 60kg and is giving between 2.5kg and 6kg to all his rivals.
“Obviously he carries top weight again on Saturday which is his setback but he’s got a bit of class so it wouldn’t surprise me if he won,” Arnold said.
“He drew a shocking barrier for that start at Caulfield and he went back and was sort of on a limb around the corner.
“But he kept attacking the line with 58 kilos so he can carry weight.”
Arnold rode a winner at Sandown on Wednesday in the opening race, guiding the Tony Noonan-trained Authenticated to an all-the-way win by seven lengths in the heavy conditions.
The victory in the 1600m maiden came for five-year-old Authenticated came at his 20th career start.
There was also a family connection to the win for Arnold, with his younger brother Doug now working as an assistant to Noonan.
