Tyler Schiller chasing Group 1 spring major over prizemoney with Caulfield Cup fancy Fawkner Park

Sydney jockey Tyler Schiller says it’s his goal to win a major in Melbourne this spring as he reunites with Fawkner Park in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes.

Sage advice to chase prestige over prizemoney has rising star Sydney jockey Tyler Schiller in Melbourne hunting the Group 1 Underwood Stakes with an eye on the Caulfield Cup.

Schiller forged a successful combination with Fawkner Park last campaign, from humble country cups to brilliant Queensland performances.

Fawkner Park arrived in the Sunshine State an Albury and Wagga Cup winner and returned to Sydney fancied for the Caulfield Cup.

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The six-year-old gelding, trained by Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald, charged home to place third in the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) and bolted in the Group 2 Q22 (2200m).

Fawkner Park is slated to run in the Underwood on Saturday then the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes at Flemington next month before the Caulfield Cup, which clashes with The Everest.

While in “two minds” initially, Schiller’s mentor, dual Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Corey Brown, urged the 25-year-old three-time Group 1 winner to chase a spring major.

“It’s probably better for the career going forward to be a Caulfield Cup-winning jockey than an Everest-winning jockey,” Schiller said.

Fawkner Park surged into Caulfield Cup contention with a dominant win in The Q22 for jockey Tyler Schiller and trainer Annabel Neasham. Picture: Grant Peters/ Trackside Photography

“I thought while I’ve got the best opportunity in it, I might as well relish that opportunity and hopefully everything goes smoothly, everything is going well so far, touchwood.

“He’s going to be a big, big player in the race (Caulfield Cup), even the Underwood this weekend, he’s going to be right in it first-up.”

Schiller would love to be riding at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day also.

He rode Front Page in the Champions Sprint last year on the final day of the Cup carnival.

“I suppose everyone starts off wanting to win the Melbourne Cup but I’d love to win any of the majors,” Schiller said.

“Even when I won the Doncaster, it’s one of the biggest, oldest majors in Australia, it’s pretty surreal to win those race, I’d love to keep winning big Group 1 races.

“They’re my target … I came down for Champions Day not Melbourne Cup Day and I regretted it, I’ll hopefully get down for that this year.”

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Fawkner Park is $7.50 with Ladbrokes to win the Underwood Stakes behind favourites Place Du Carrousel ($3.50), Pericles ($3.60) and Buckaroo ($6.50).

Schiller, who dropped into Melbourne a fortnight ago to gallop Fawkner Park at Caulfield, said barrier two would be ideal on Saturday.

“It’s a really good draw for him, to come out well, be handy enough where he’s comfortable and if the pace isn’t that strong he’s got a really good turn of foot especially up at that trip,” Schiller said.

“He’s strong at 2200m and 2400m but I feel like fresh 1800m he’s going to be a major player for the Underwood.

“As long as he’s jumping, travelling nicely, breathing well and finding the line, I’ll be rapt but I think he’ll be doing more than that.”

Originally published as Tyler Schiller chasing Group 1 spring major over prizemoney with Caulfield Cup fancy Fawkner Park