Star apprentice Celine Gaudray to reunite with family ahead of Darwin Cup assault on Monday

Leading apprentice Celine Gaudray will partner with 2022 Darwin Cup winner Playoffs in the feature event on Monday.

Celine Gaudray returns to scale after riding Gentleman Roy to victory at Flemington on Saturday Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

A call up to ride Playoffs in the Darwin Cup on Monday has doubled as a surprise family reunion for rising star apprentice jockey Celine Gaudray.

Gaudray’s parents Claudine and Bernard have been in the Territory for three months, exploring the Top End in a retirement adventure.

Gaudray is set to ride 2022 Darwin Cup winner Playoffs on Monday.

FIELDS AND FORM DARWIN CUP MEETING MONDAY

Managing owners Colin and Janice McKenna booked Gaudray for Playoffs and Carleen Hefel to ride Masatora, a $19 outsider, in the Darwin Cup.

Playoffs completed the Chief Minister’s-Darwin Cups double in 2022.

“My parents asked me a month or so ago if I’m going to ride in the Darwin Cup and I said I don’t think so, the odds are quite low but when I got the call up I was definitely happy to go,“ Gaudray said.

“I’m also excited for the warm weather, to be honest.”

Eight-year-old gelding Playoffs is a $12 chance with TAB, having finished midfield in the Chief Minister’s Cup first-up behind Bear Story.

Bear Story is a $2.30 favourite to win the cup from Wolfburn ($3.80) and Hadouken ($5).

Playoffs meets Bear Story 5.5kg better at the weights on Monday.

Monday’s Darwin Cup meeting will be Celine Gaudray’s first visit to the ‘Top End’ Picture KATRINA BRIDGEFORD.

They both carried 59kg in the Chief Minister’s Cup where 12 lengths separated the pair.

Playoffs has dropped to 55.5kg in the cup with top weight Bear Story at 61kg.

Playoffs carried 59.5kg to victory in the Darwin Cup previously.

“He obviously likes Darwin and has a lot less weight than when he did win the cup, so that’s a bonus, and he’s in the right hands with (trainer) Gary (Clarke),” Gaudray said.

Clarke, an 11-time NT champion trainer, has won the Darwin Cup four times – including once as a jockey.

Gaudray has two rides for Clarke before the cup to experience the track and style of racing in the NT.

“There’s obviously a few people up there to help us look at the track and what not, racing is different everywhere, tempo related,” Gaudray said.

Gaudray travelled to Darwin on Saturday night with Hefel after riding commitments at Flemington.

They’re on the red eye midnight flight home on Monday night.

Gaudray, set to ride outside Victoria for only the third time, after hit and run missions to Brisbane, Adelaide and NZ previously, is equally excited for the Darwin Cup atmosphere.

“I’ve heard it does go off so I’m looking forward to a big crowd, we haven’t had too many big crowds here because of the weather,” Gaudray said.

“I’m sure it will be a good atmosphere and fingers crossed it all pans out and Playoffs wins.”

Originally published as Star apprentice Celine Gaudray to reunite with family ahead of Darwin Cup assault on Monday