Top jockey Damian Lane to ride Ashford Street in Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes at Caulfield

Smart sprinter Ashford Street will have a crucial jockey change for his attempt to return to winning ways in the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes at Caulfield.

Jockey Damian Lane will ride Ashford Street in Saturday’s Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes at Caulfield. Picture: Reg Ryan / Racing Photos

A call from top jockey Damian Lane was enough for trainer Tom Dabernig to make a crucial riding change for Ashford Street in Saturday’s Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes at Caulfield.

Teo Nugent rode Ashford Street when the sprinter beat two runners home at Flemington last time out but Lane will be aboard the six-year-old in Saturday’s Caulfield feature.

“Damian rang for the ride and, while we weren’t frustrated, Teo didn’t have any luck (at Flemington),” Dabernig said.

“Teo has a good record previously on the horse but we just thought when you’ve got someone with the credentials of Damian Lane wanting to ride the horse, you’d be mad not to give him a try on him.”

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Lane’s booking could be one reason TAB customers backed Ashford Street from $4.50 to $4.20 in early all-in betting on the $200,000 contest.

Ashford Street’s unplaced effort at Flemington followed a win and a second at Caulfield in the gelding’s first two runs back from a spell.

Dabernig said the sprinter didn’t have much luck from an inside draw at Flemington on June 22.

Apprentice Jaylah Kennedy rode Ashford Street to his first-up win at Caulfield in May. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

“He was a bit unlucky, to be honest,” Dabernig said.

“He got held up and from barrier four, he ended up coming down the outside fence and the race had sort of skipped away.

“I wouldn’t read too much into it because his two runs prior to that were really good.”

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The Sir John Monash Stakes only attracted nine entries despite the Melbourne Racing Club extending the nomination deadline until 10am on Tuesday.

Premier trainer Ciaron Maher has three runners – Mrs Chrissie, Senegalia and the $2.70 favourite Recommendation – nominated.

Dabernig said the small field combined with Ashford Street’s fitness advantage over the likes of Recommendation and the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained import Honey Girl would help him bounce back to his best.

He added the likelihood of soft ground would also boost Ashford Street’s chances.

“If you look at the Flemington run, you might think he was disappointing but he was quite unlucky really,” Dabernig said.

“He’s back to Caulfield and it looks like it’s going to be a smallish field.

“I think we’re in good shape because he hasn’t missed a beat and if it’s a soft track, he’ll like that as well.

“We brought him in for winter conditions but his three runs have all been on good tracks.”

Originally published as Top jockey Damian Lane to ride Ashford Street in Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes at Caulfield