Ex-Sydney jockey Koby Jennings determined to snare elusive Victorian winner

Koby Jennings has had a frustrating time in the saddle in Victoria since making the difficult decision to leave NSW, but he’s determined to get out of his rut at Caulfield on Saturday.

Koby Jennings is still seeking his first win since relocating to Victoria. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

The frustration ex-Sydney-based jockey Koby Jennings in pursuit of an elusive Victorian winner would be forgotten with a “big screen” success at Caulfield.

Jennings will reconnect with trainers Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes, major supporters of his in Sydney and NSW previously, aboard Husk and Gitalong on Saturday.

“I’ve had a long relationship with Team Hawkes and it’s followed me to Melbourne,” Jennings said.

“It would be good to get one home on the big screen, the meeting everyone watches.”

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Jennings has ridden 43 winners for Team Hawkes, striking at 19.3 per cent.

Husk is $7.50 with TAB in the 2YO Fillies Handicap (1100m), while Gitalong ($6) is second favourite in the 3YO Open Handicap (1100m).

The Traralgon native has gone 48 starts without a winner since he moved back to Victoria with fiancee Nerissa and their children, Declan, 2, and six-month-old daughter Riley.

“We didn’t want the kids growing up without any family around them just because we wanted to live in NSW,” Jennings said.

“It wasn’t an easy decision (professionally) to come down here.

“I’d made my name up there in Sydney, I worked my bum off to get to where I was and I was pretty happy with the position I was in.”

Husk is one of two rides Jennings has for the Hawkes stable at Caulfield on Saturday. Picture: Pat Scala/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Jennings has ridden at multiple Sale, Pakenham, Moe and Bendigo meetings the past month, also Echuca, Ballarat, Seymour, Wangaratta and Sandown without any luck as yet, predominantly aboard roughies in the field.

He placed second on a $12 runner at Moe on Friday, beaten by a $61 outsider.

The 29-year-old is determined to “find the right horses” and break out of the rut.

His strike rate has dipped from 12 per cent winners to runners to 10 per cent.

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He operated at about 14 per cent the past two seasons in NSW.

“Watching the strike rate plummet hasn’t been the best, but I’ve never been one for stats,” Jennings said.

Gitalong could be the right horse.

Jennings placed third on Gitalong last year at Newcastle.

The Zoustar gelding has won three of five since and was runner-up last start at Caulfield.

Husk won first-up and has been around the mark the past two.

“Their recent form is definitely something to get a bit up and about for,” Jennings said.

Jennings has ridden 451 winners including the 2020 Golden Eagle aboard Colette.

Originally published as Ex-Sydney jockey Koby Jennings determined to snare elusive Victorian winner