Narromine tips: Long travels to pay dividends for jockey Mikayla Weir as she looks to claim Gold Cup success

Jockey Mikayla Weir is hungry for success and a busy schedule with long days in the car can pay dividends for the talented rider as she chases victory in the Narromine Gold Cup with Fletchlo.

Mikayla Weir heads to Narromine chasing success in the Gold Cup with Fletchlo. Picture: Getty Images

Jockey Mikayla Weir has been racking the kilometres from her Hunter Valley base travelling to racetracks like Kembla, Grafton, Moree, Forbes and even the famous Louth races - where she had a winning double – and just about everywhere in between.

She will put another 700km on her odometer when she heads to Narromine with a solid book of rides including Fletchlo in the feature event, the Narromine Gold Cup (1600m).

Weir rode the Gayna Williams-trained gelding in the Forbes Cup three weeks ago where they finished eighth behind Osman but she said it would pay to forget the run.

“He’s a huge horse and he drew barrier 1 around a tight track,” said Weir.

“He was on the fence where we didn’t have a lot of room which just didn’t suit him.

“We never really got a good crack at them. It’s all about momentum with him and being caught up never gave him a chance to get into a good rhythm.

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Fletchlo wins the 5th at Mudgee in a tight photo finish! 📸 pic.twitter.com/vDsHrtUUWa

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 7, 2024

“We only got out late and that’s when he picked up. He was just building up as we went through the line.”

Two starts earlier, Weir rode the son of Denman to victory at Mudgee over Amicus Curiae who won his next two starts at the provincials Fletchlo then finished third behind Let Me Reign at Hawkesbury.

“From the barrier 2, we will look to stay off the fence. That’s the key.

“He likes to be ridden cold now so that’s how we will ride him. I just hope we get the right run.

“He has raced well at Narromine. Jean (Van Overmeire) rode him a couple of months ago and he was near last before running on strongly for second.”

Weir and Williams combine a race earlier with Ishamashi in the Class 1 Handicap over 1200m.

The daughter of Brave Smash won on debut at Bathurst for Weir in February before a spell and has returned with three placings this preparation.

“She went to the paddock after she won and has grown and developed into a better horse. She was only very fine,” Weir said.

“She has gotten better with every run this time in.

Ishamashi wins on debut in a close one! pic.twitter.com/tgeAqfbDhl

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 12, 2024

“She is a horse than can over do things so I will be neutral out of the gates and just let her find her own rhythm.

“At Forbes last start, Gayna was a little worried about stepping her up to 1400m. She began so well but I just sat and she found her spot and she raced very well.”

Weir reunites with the Melissa Dennett-trained Takanakuy in the Benchmark 66 Handicap over 800m.

She has only partnered the mare one under race conditions which happened to be a win over this same track and distance back in October last year when they beat Kora Magic.

The daughter of Outreach then went on to win two of her next four starts along with two placings.

Her last run was a win over 1000m at Tamworth in February.

“I’ve only had one ride on this mare and that was here last year,” she said.

“She was first-up that and is first-up again over the same track and distance this weekend.

“She should be thereabouts again.”

Weir’s other three rides for the day are the Lou Mary-trained Holy Mackerel in the Maiden Plate (1300m), Deebuz from the Connie Greig stable in the Class 1 and Maiden Plate (1600m) and Jan Bowen’s Badboy McCoy in the Benchmark 58 Handicap (1300m).

ADAM SHERRY’S TOP SELECTIONS

BEST BET

Race 4 No. 8: Royale Veloute

The Terry Croft-trained mare scored a handy win maiden at Hawkesbury first-up the raced wide was narrowly beaten at Forbes.

NEXT BEST

Race 8 No. 1: Hit The Rim

The gelding was third in the Collie Cup before a fourth in the Dubbo Cup Prelude. Big drop in grade and gets in well with the claim.

VALUE BET

Race 7 No. 1: Just A Brother

Racing well with a handy third at Hawkesbury followed by a game second in the Forbes Cup.

QUADDIE

Race 5: 1, 7, 10

Race 6: 1, 2, 7, 10

Race 7: 1, 2, 4

Race 8: 1, 4

Apprentice Jack Baker can land a couple of winners at Narromine. Picture: Bradley Photos

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Mikayla Weir has a solid book of rides and should accrue good points in the Jockey Challenge while apprentice Jack Baker can land a double.

INSIDE MAIL – NARROMINE

RACE 1

Roses Imminente is a first starter by Impending. Sat out wide and was kept under a good hold to the line when fifth in her Scone trial on July 17. Flight Or Fight has placed in half her 10 starts including seconds at her past two. The latest was behind Sunyani at Gilgandra three weeks ago. She’s Just A Dream sat wide and not pushed when third to Keep On Going in her Gilgandra trial on Aug 3.

Bet: Roses Imminente to win

RACE 2

Miss Adamas had solid form last campaign including a second to Miss Amore at Newcastle and a third to Tornado Express at Muswellbrook. Gets a 2kg claim with Jack Baker. Aspen Boulevard followed a first-up fifth at Gundagai with two close second placings at Cowra and Gilgandra over 950m and 1000m respectively after leading. Drops to 54kg after the claim of Jessica Brookes and back to 800m. Pattera has placed two of three. Just needs a little luck from the draw.

Bet: Miss Adamas to win

RACE 3

Holy Mackerel had to cart the field up behind a tearaway leader first-up at Moree and although getting a little tired late, finished a neck second. Will take improvement from the run and the ear muffs come off. It’s Showtime ran on strongly from near last when third to Ivy Diva at Scone before a three-quarter length third to Obviously Good at Tamworth over 1200m. Looks suited stepping up slightly in trip. Sashabella closed well near last when third at Forbes last start.

Bet: Holy Mackerel to win

RACE 4

Royale Veloute raced outside the leader and dug deep to break her maiden at Hawkesbury first-up on July 21. Went to Forbes on Cup Day and was just pipped on the line by Big Shot Legend after racing wide over 1400m. Should appreciate the step up to the mile. World Reign was a winner over 1600m at Parkes to starts back before a fourth in that same race at Forbes. Amantaka is backing up from a third at Dubbo on Wednesday.

Bet: Royale Veloute to win

Royale Veloute wins by a length in the fifth at Hawkesbury with @AlyshaCollett on board. pic.twitter.com/EPu7yv8VWS

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 21, 2024

RACE 5

Too Darn Lovely held the inside running ion a line of four before dropping out to finish last behind Free State at Newcastle first-up. She showed good ability winning her first two starts before a third in the Boot Prelude at Coonamble. Takanakuy raced very well last campaign including a first-up win over the track and distance. Handy trial at Tamworth on July 31. Sisters Pick raced very well last time in and sure to make her presence felt.

Bet: Too Darn Lovely to win

RACE 6

Hot Jive was good winning the Big Maiden at Grafton first-up before coming wide and closing well for a three-quarter length third to You’re On Mate at Forbes. Ishamashi was a first-up winner at Bathurst before a spell. Placed in each of her three runs this time in, the latest a third to Big Shot Legend at Forbes. Drawn to get an ideal run. Paris Lad was also a debut winner at Bathurst then placed his next two before a break.

Bet: Hot Jive to win

RACE 7

Just A Brother was chasing back-to-back wins in the Forbes Cup when runner-up to Osman three weeks ago. He came from well back with a strong run between horses but the winner had kicked away to a big lead and he could quite reel him in. Fletchlo was locked up on the fence in that race which didn’t suit him when eighth. His last 50m was good when he got out. Will appreciate more galloping room. Aimpoint was caught late when third to Ashim in the Ken Howard Cup at Coffs Harbour last start.

Bet: Just A Brother each-way

RACE 8

Hit The Rim drops back from a Bm82 when fourth to Touch Of Navy at Dubbo to a Bm58 here. Was third to Toulon Factor in the Collie Cup before that. Gets in well with the 2kg claim. Wolf Bay will be improved by his first-up third to Champers Girl at Dubbo. Drawn nicely. My Make Kate raced keenly at Wyong first-up. Will be better for the run.

Bet: Hit The Rim to win