Still buzzing from her outstanding result in the World All-Star Jockeys’ Series in Japan, Rachel King is keen to keep her momentum rolling into the early-season carnival races in Sydney.
King participated in the Series over the weekend and after taking an early lead, she went down by a single point to Japan’s Mirai Iwata, with superstar jockey Yutaka Take third.
It was an eye-opening experience for King on many levels, both professionally and culturally.
“It was an amazing experience. Everything was different. The horses were different to ride, different tracks and you always learn a bit going to those new places,” King said.
“It was interesting to learn how they do it there, how the horses are trained, how they ride them, all that stuff. We rode on the dirt and the turf and that was something new as well.
“But I couldn’t find a Sushi Train (restaurant) – you’d think they would be everywhere!”
With the final three races at Warwick Farm on Wednesday abandoned due to an electrical storm, King will have her first rides back since her Japanese adventure at Friday’s Wyong Gold Cup (2100m) meeting.
She partners the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Military Mission in the feature race and feels he has continued to improve since his second-up effort in the Premier’s Cup (2000m) when he finished runner-up to Hosier.
Military Mission is also an acceptor over 2400m at Randwick on Saturday and King expects him to be competitive wherever he runs.
“I’m not sure which way he’s going, I think both races would suit him,” King said.
“He always takes a little bit to get fit. He’s a typical European, he’s probably a little bit lazy in his work but he improved massively second-up, which I was confident he would, as his work at home had been super.
“He only just got fit last start and hopefully he will be really ready to run a big race at his next couple of starts.”
King partners last-start winner Diamond Dealer ($26) for Bjorn Baker in the Listed Mona Lisa Stakes (1350m) at Wyong, for which the Chris Waller-trained Olentia is an odds-on favourite.
However, the latter is also paid up for the Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Randwick and Waller says they are favouring running her there due to the longer straight.
“We’ll have a good look at the form but we’re leaning towards running on Saturday,” Waller said.
If Olentia does come out, it will prompt a market shake-up with Godolphin’s Va Via ($6) the only other Mona Lisa Stakes runner under double-figure odds.
King also has a handy book at Randwick on Saturday where her mounts include defending titleholder Knights Order in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) and Summer Loving in the Furious Stakes (1200m).
