Ryan Maloney gives up sweets to make weight for Sunshine In Paris ride in The Galaxy
Queensland jockey Ryan Maloney has given up the sweets in order to ride at his lightest weight in years in The Galaxy on Saturday.
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Group 1 winner Ryan Maloney has given up the sweets in his quest to ride the irresistible Sunshine In Paris at a featherweight in her return to racing at Rosehill on Saturday.
The Queensland-based Maloney will shed down to his lightest weight in years to ride the mare at 54kg in the Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m) after forming an association with her when she won the Group 1 Surround Stakes last year.
Maloney was booked to ride Sunshine In Paris in The Everest last year before she suffered an injury which ruled her out for the spring following her dominant first-up win in the Group 2 Sheraco Stakes.
Now back, Maloney, who usually rides at 56.5kg, says he has banned sugar in his journey to 54kg.
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“It would have been this time last year I rode at 54.5, I will ride at 54kg on Saturday,” he said.
“I have been really strict, I saw it coming a while out so I have had a head start on it.
“It’s a matter of being strict, no sugar is the main thing but I have been watching the portion sizes and training hard.
“I should be 55kg by (Friday) night, then I only have a kilo to do on race morning.
“My stomach has probably shrunk that much, I won’t be able to eat that much afterwards, so hopefully I can celebrate with a few cold ones at least.”
After drawing barrier two, Sunshine In Paris has been rock solid in betting, and is a $8 chance behind favourites Ozzmosis ($4.60), Aft Cabin ($5) and Private Eye ($7.50).
“We were originally thinking if Private Eye stayed at 115 (handicap), she would get 52kg and it would rule me out,” Maloney said.
“The handicappers gave Annabel (Neasham) the heads up that she would probably be going up in ratings, so we knew she wasn’t going to be that light, as it ended up Private Eye came down as well.”
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In an attempt to leave no stone unturned, Maloney travelled to Sydney to ride Sunshine In Paris in a recent barrier trial and said she is going as well as ever.
“It’s unfortunate for everyone involved what happened with her, we were lucky it wasn’t career-ending and the break has done her the world of good because she has strengthened up a bit,” he said.
“I was rapt with her trial at Hawkesbury the other day, so I will be going into it with a lot of confidence, we just need to hope the rail isn’t as bad as what it was the other week.
“The form around her, she is up to her ears in this race, it is probably the strongest Galaxy in years but.”
Originally published as Ryan Maloney gives up sweets to make weight for Sunshine In Paris ride in The Galaxy
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