Star jockey Jamie Kah to partner The Map in Wednesday’s Geelong Cup

South Australia’s Melbourne Cup challenger The Map is set for her final run before the race that stops the nation, with star jockey Jamie Kah to ride the mare in Wednesday’s Group 3 Geelong Cup (2400m).

South Australia’s Melbourne Cup challenger The Map is set for her final run before the race that stops the nation, with star jockey Jamie Kah to ride the mare in Wednesday’s Group 3 Geelong Cup (2400m).

Kah won’t be on The Map in November’s $8 million two-mile feature, electing to ride Point King for Anthony and Sam Freedman, but has been booked to ride on Wednesday for close friends Dan Clarken and Oopy MacGillivray.

The SA duo has had a fruitful partnership in the past, combining for two wins from three starts, and MacGillivray is pleased to have Kah back in the saddle for the crucial lead-in run to the Melbourne Cup.

“I think the important thing about your final run leading in to the Cup is that she gets a nice ride,” MacGillivray said.

“We know that Jamie knows her well, she’ll give her a good ride, it’ll give her confidence, she’ll also have a decent sized saddle on her at 54kg which the mare will appreciate.

“She’ll (Jamie) be able to let us know exactly where she thinks she’s at.”

"This is girl power."

The Map & @jamieleekah07 power away to win the Queen Elizabeth II Cup 💪 pic.twitter.com/PsweDcg7U4

— Racing.com (@Racing) May 4, 2024

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The Map produced the best run of her three-start campaign last time out in the Herbert Power Stakes over 2400m, hitting the line well to finish fifth when beaten four lengths at Caulfield.

“We thought it was a terrific run, and lovely ride from Luke (Currie), she was just getting things together at the end,” she said.

“Obviously Caulfield is not her preferred style of track, we were rapt with how she came through the run.

“She’s another week fitter, has had another run under her belt, she looks terrific and she’ll be working home strongly and through the line I expect.”

Alongside Kah’s booking on Wednesday, Currie and Craig Newitt are the other two Group 1-winning hoops to have partnered the mare in Victoria this spring.

The SA trainers are still yet to commit to a jockey for the Melbourne Cup, with that picture to become clearer after Wednesday.

“We’ve been tossing ideas around in our head, I’m sure there’s still a few jockeys that have loyalties to other stables and are waiting to see if horses get a run, and no doubt the closer we get to the Cup, that all changes,” she said.

“Everyone gets a clear idea which horses will get a run and we’ll be able to work from there.”

The Map ridden by Luke Currie prior the Herbert Power Stakes at Caulfield. Picture: Brett Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images

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With an abundance of hoops out to fulfil a lifelong dream of obtaining Melbourne Cup glory, Clarken and MacGillivray will have no shortage of options to choose from.

“We’ve had a few (phone calls),” MacGillivray said.

“I’m sure when we all know who the final 24 is, managers will really kick into gear.”

The Map has returned home to SA in between her other runs so far this spring, but is expected to stay in Victoria for the remainder of her Cup campaign.

“Our preference would be to bring her home but that comes down to a few of the vet protocols being handled differently,” she said.

“We have made a request to trot her up on a different day to be able to bring her home, we just have to wait and see how that plays out.

“Everyday her coat improves, she’s got dapples everywhere and is looking a million dollars – she’s definitely on target.”

The Map is a $14 chance with TAB fixed odds for Wednesday’s Geelong Cup, and is currently a $34 hope for the Melbourne Cup.

Originally published as Star jockey Jamie Kah to partner The Map in Wednesday’s Geelong Cup