Jockey Jamie Mott wants to qualify Little Mix for the Melbourne Cup for trainer Annabel Neasham

Jockey Jamie Mott wants to build on recent success for trainer Annabel Neasham by securing Melbourne Cup qualification for Little Mix in Saturday’s Listed Andrew Ramsden (2800m).

Jockey Jamie Mott wants to build on recent success for trainer Annabel Neasham by securing Melbourne Cup qualification for Little Mix in Saturday's Listed Andrew Ramsden (2800m) at Flemington.

Mott has won three and placed seven times in 21 starters for Neasham, including the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes last Saturday at Sunshine Coast on Numerian.

Numerian was the catalyst for the profitable Mott-Neasham combination, with an opportunity to ride the weight-for-age performer in the Australian Cup last year.

Mott made the most of further rides “here and there” for Neasham to become the Sydney-based Group 1 trainer’s go-to rider in Victoria.

“She’s a great trainer and got many, many horses so I’m really happy to be involved with the stable,” Mott said.

“I was able to win on Gear Up (Listed Mornington Cup Prelude) just recently and maybe a winner or two in between, in the country and lucky enough to win on Numerian last Saturday.”

It’s all Numerian in the G2 TAB A.D. Hollindale Stakes, as he races away to win first up for @ANeashamRacing and @jamieleemott!@SCTurfClubpic.twitter.com/O1Mn0ugkmo

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 11, 2024

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Mott is booked to ride Numerian in the Group 1 Doomben Cup on Saturday week in Brisbane and the Q22 on June 15.

Securing a golden ticket into the Melbourne Cup for Neasham and the connections of Little Mix is Mott’s priority on Saturday.

Little Mix has raced well without success the past seven starts since a good win at Flemington on Oaks Day last November.

The consistent mare has placed in the Listed Mornington and Warrnambool cups the past two starts.

The five-year-old backmarker was not beaten far in Group 3 races in Sydney earlier in the campaign.

Mott got a feel for Little Mix last Tuesday on the uphill grass track at Pakenham.

“She’s rock hard (fit) … nice and bright, her action was good. She’s going in good order,” Mott said.

“Her last two runs were really good in good races and probably hasn’t had the best of luck, she does get back a little bit in her races, which obviously always makes it a bit harder.

“You’d imagine she’d be just off midfield somewhere and the form she’s in she’d be some sort of chance.”

Purple delight 💜

As we raise awareness for the Good Friday Appeal at Flemington, LITTLE MIX takes out the inaugural Good Friday Appeal Trophy in a competitive affair to give the @ANeashamRacing stable their first win on #OaksDay.

📽 @10SportAUpic.twitter.com/3ouSiiySkh

— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) November 9, 2023

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Little Mix is a $14 chance with TAB for the 2800m event.

“The trip seems to be a positive, she’s in good form, Flemington is a very fair track and even if she does settle off midfield somewhere she’ll get her chance to be there on the corner,” Mott said.

“I’d say the hardest to beat will be The Map, she’s flying, but no reason why mine can’t win.”

The Map is a dominant $2.80 favourite from Lionel ($6.50), Strawberry Rock ($8.50), Mostly Cloudy ($8.50) and Let’sbefrankbaby ($9.50).

Originally published as Jockey Jamie Mott wants to qualify Little Mix for the Melbourne Cup for trainer Annabel Neasham