Riding at major carnivals around the globe is becoming second nature for top Sydney-based jockey Rachel King, who will have seven mounts on the Spring Champion Stakes program at Randwick before jetting off for a history-making appearance at the Breeders’ Cup in America.
King will become the first Australian resident to participate in one of world racing’s pre-eminent events when she partners Satono Carnaval for Japanese trainer Noriyuki Hori in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (1600m) at Del Mar on November 1.
“I’m very excited to go over there and on a horse that is a good chance as well,” King said.
“Mr Hori has travelled a number of horses over the years and been very successful. His strikerate is unbelievable when he travels them. He trained Maurice and Real Impact, horses like that.
“He knows what he is doing and he doesn’t travel them unless they’re proper winning chances.”
The Breeders’ Cup opportunity presented following King’s stint in Japan earlier this year and has been part of a momentous year for the British-born hoop, who has also squeezed in her UK wedding to partner Luke Hilton, her first ride at Royal Ascot and another trip to her homeland to compete in the Shergar Cup.
“Since I got married, I haven’t been able to change my name legally because I haven’t been home long enough to change my passport,” King quipped.
And she isn’t planning on slowing down any time soon.
King will travel to Hong Kong in December for the International Jockeys’ Challenge before taking up another two-month stint in Japan over the Australian summer.
But her immediate focus is on Saturday at Randwick where her mounts include former European mare Queues Likely in the $2 million The Invitation (1400m) and the consistent Iknowastar in the Five Diamonds Prelude (1500m), both for trainer Bjorn Baker.
A Group 3 winner over a mile in Germany, Queues Likely has impressed King since her arrival.
“I think she is going well enough to run a nice race,” she said.
“We will find out a bit more about her on Saturday, but I’m keen on her. There is plenty of improvement and progression there for sure.
“But so far, she is really straightforward. She has just fitted in, she’s got a great attitude and that always helps because sometimes the Europeans can take a bit of time to settle in.
“Her trials and work at home have been super, I can’t fault her.”
She is also looking forward to renewing her acquaintance with Iknowastar following his first-up fifth in the Alan Brown Stakes (1400m).
“He wasn’t the quickest out but he did his usual and was quick to muster,” King said of his fresh performance.
“He probably lost a good two-lengths doing that at the gates and he hasn’t been beaten that far, so it was a good, sound effort.
“He always improves a little bit off his first-up run. We call him Mr Reliable, he doesn’t run a bad race.”
King will fly to Japan on Sunday ahead of the Breeders’ Cup meeting next Friday before returning direct to Melbourne to ride at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day.
