Vlad Duric reveals emotional Peter Moody connection ahead of Gold Coast Guineas: ‘Like a big brother to me’

Vlad Duric was more than happy to play second fiddle to Luke Nolen during his riding days in Victoria when working for Peter Moody and the veteran jockey has his first ride back for the champion trainer at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday.

Peter Moody helped jockey Vlad Duric in his time of need during his riding days in Victoria, now the Singapore sensation wants to repay the Group 1-winning trainer in the Gold Coast Guineas on Saturday.

Duric was a regular for Moody during his halcyon days before making his way to Singapore and has since established himself back as a force to be reckoned with in Queensland ahead of the winter carnival.

It is Duric’s connection to Moody that has landed him on Roll On High in the Group 3 Gold Coast Guineas (1200m) at the transferred Sunshine Coast meeting on Saturday, with the jockey declaring the filly one of his best rides of the day.

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“Pete has been like a big brother to me,” Duric said.

“Luke (Nolen) was the number one for Pete, but I was on the list and rode plenty of Group winners for him. When (wife) Storm and I were struggling paying off our mortgage and putting food on the table for the kids, Pete was amazing to us.

“I have a real soft spot for Moods and that horse is actually owned by Rob Slade, who Wendy Kelly trained for – I rode a lot of winners for those owners, it is nice to put those silks back on.

“She is a balance up filly, she is better off with this barrier than an inside one. I really like her in this race, she is one of my better rides for the weekend.”

Vlad Duric will look to combine with Tony Gollan again with Freedom Rally. Picture: Grant Peters — Trackside Photography.

It comes as Duric will look to get champion trainer Tony Gollan another Stradbroke Handicap runner in the form of Freedom Rally, who resumes in the Listed ATC Trophy (1200m).

Duric was called up to ride Antino last week and produced a gem to win the Group 2 Victory Stakes and nab favouritism for the Stradbroke as well.

With a suspension looming, Duric is set to miss the following two Saturday’s and the veteran jockey says while he is keen to ride Antino in the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup on June 1, he understands if connections want to look for another jockey.

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“It was a pick up ride for me because Mark (Zahra) got suspended,” Duric said.

“The obvious answer is that I would love to be on the horse, he is a very good horse.

“At the end of the day, it is up to Tony and the owners, they will make their decision because it is very important what is coming up for that horse and they need to be comfortable with what they choose.

“I have just lobbed here in Queensland, I am a fresh face and if they are choosing between me and Mark or someone else, they will make the decision they do and I am comfortable with whatever they decide.”

Originally published as Vlad Duric reveals emotional Peter Moody connection ahead of Gold Coast Guineas: ‘Like a big brother to me’