Jamie Kah ’very excited’ after first sit on Melbourne Cup contender More Felons
Star jockey Jamie Kah believes she has a “good chance” in the Melbourne Cup after having her first sit on her mount in a Flemington gallop on Thursday.
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Melbourne Cup contender More Felons made a strong first impression on star jockey Jamie Kah at Flemington.
Kah galloped the Chris Waller-trained stayer privately on Thursday to get acquainted with the former international before the 3200m Group 1 next Tuesday.
This masthead last Tuesday revealed Kah had secured the ride on More Felons, formerly known as Scriptwriter.
More Felons, a proven stayer with multiple wins in England beyond 3300m, finished fifth in the Geelong Cup (2400m) on debut for Waller, beaten a tick over half a length.
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“It was really nice to come here and give him a really good look around the track, there was plenty seagulls and birds out there but he didn’t care,” Kah said.
“He worked really well, for a horse there’s no doubt he’ll get the trip he actually worked really sharp, he had a really nice turn of foot the last furlong.”
More Felons is rated a $21 chance with TAB for the Melbourne Cup.
“I’m very excited to ride him in the Cup,” Kah said.
“It’s a very, very special race for Australia and I’m happy to be on him, I know he’ll run the trip, we just have to draw a nice gate and get him in a good spot.”
Kah placed third in the 2020 Melbourne Cup with Prince Of Arran.
The nine-time Group 1 winner missed 2021 and ran seventh last year on Smokin’ Romans.
“Riding in the Melbourne Cup is indescribable, how amazing it feels to be out there,” Kah said.
“To win the Melbourne Cup would be amazing, you got to be in it to win it and I’m in with a good chance.”
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Kah has seven rides at Flemington on Saturday including Veight in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) and Konasana in the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m).
Kah picked up the ride on Veight with Damian Lane in Sydney on Saturday to partner Amelia’s Jewel in the $10m Golden Eagle (1500m).
The 27-year-old rode Veight in a jumpout last Friday at Flemington.
“He felt amazing,” Kah said of the $19 outsider.
“It’s obviously a very tough race, it’s going to be a hard race to win but I can’t see him going any better than he is at the moment, so really excited to ride him.”
Meanwhile, Racing Victoria vets on Thursday cleared 21 of the 29 Melbourne Cup entrants in the first of two pre-race physical inspections.
Waller-trained Sheraz moved well but had some heat in its right front leg.
The gelding will be re-examined on Friday.
The seven internationals based at Werribee, including Cup favourite Vauban and More Felons, will be examined on Friday.
Originally published as Jamie Kah ’very excited’ after first sit on Melbourne Cup contender More Felons
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