Tyler Schiller surprised by rapid rise of Group 1 winner Port Lockroy heading into The Ingham at Randwick

Tyler Schiller never expected Port Lockroy to win a Group 1 this prep but is confident the emerging star can notch another big-race victory in The Ingham.

Jockey Tyler Schiller admits the emergence of Port Lockroy as a bona fide Group 1 galloper was a tad unexpected but now expects the emerging star to be a major player in Saturday’s Group 2 $2m The Ingham (1600m) at Royal Randwick.

Port Lockroy returns to Sydney after putting his name up in lights with a maiden Group 1 win in the Railway Stakes at Ascot last month.

Schiller had ridden Port Lockroy in his only lead-up trial for the spring when the son of Better Than Ready finished sixth of six in a heat at Hawkesbury back in September.

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“I can’t say he gave me the feel of a Group 1 winner that day but I also was there just to give him a nice time,” Schiller said.

“I said to my manager he trialled really well but I didn’t expect him to come out and win a Group 1 four starts later though.”

Port Lockroy showed a glimpse of his talent in the lead-up to the Railway Stakes when the four-year-old raced without a lot of luck but surged home late to finish sixth in the $10m Golden Eagle.

It encouraged trainers Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald to send the entire to Perth where he produced the best performance of his career to win the Group 1 mile.

Neasham and Archibald could have easily sent their stallion prospect to the paddock after his major win but have kept Port Lockroy in work to target Sydney’s final big-money race of 2024.

• Ray and Duff’s tips for Randwick on Saturday

“As long as he has got through his run in the west well, which I am assuming he has, he goes there in great form,” Schiller said.

“You can’t knock a last-start Group 1 winner.

“The main thing was that he drew well and I was very happy to see him draw where he did.”

Port Lockroy will need to topple brilliant Big Dance and The Gong winner Gringotts ($3.50 favourite) to win The Ingham with Festival Stakes victor Private Eye ($9.50) also among the challengers.

Port Lockroy is back in Sydney for The Ingham after winning the Group 1 Railway Stakes. Picture: Western Racepix

Schiller is in the running to claim a stakes trifecta and was eager to reconnect with Jedibeel in the Listed $200,000 Razor Sharp Handicap (1200m).

The former champion apprentice hasn’t ridden the Brad Widdup-trained sprinter in two runs this preparation but has a strong association with the son of Savabeel.

Schiller has ridden Jedibeel seven times for four wins and a placing.

• James Molony’s race-by-race tips, analysis for Randwick

Jedibeel finished runner-up in a Benchmark 100 first-up this preparation at Royal Randwick on Big Dance day before failing to fire as expected in the Listed Starlight Stakes at Rosehill Gardens last time.

He is a $6.50 chance to bounce back in the Razor Sharp however Schiller insists there he has one question he needs to answer.

“I am not sure Jedibeel is 100 per cent a Randwick horse because he has performed better at Rosehill, Canterbury and Warwick Farm,” Schiller said.

“He hasn’t be able to win at Randwick yet and it could be a hurdle he needs to cross.

“With that said, I think the gate offsets that and he should pop in behind the speed.

“Just hopefully I can nurse him and cuddle him up, up the rise and not let him go until extremely late.

“I have a great association with him and know him so hopefully that comes into play.”

Tyler Schiller will ride Port Lockroy in The Ingham. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

Schiller has been booked to partner one of three Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald-trained runners in the Listed $200,000 Christmas Cup (2400m) when he partners Mormona ($26).

The imported stayer is beginning his second preparation in Australia after having a short freshen up, finishing runner-up in the Listed Queensland Cup (2400m) in his last start in early October.

“I think first-up it’s going to be a bit tough for Mormona but he is weighted (53kg) to be right in it,” Schiller said.

“The gate is probably not ideal but I will just be instructed by Annabel and Rob whether I ride him quiet to give him a good experience or where they want him in the field.”

Schiller will also chase back-to-back wins in the $500,000 Inglis Nursery where he connects with Sequista.

Originally published as Tyler Schiller surprised by rapid rise of Group 1 winner Port Lockroy heading into The Ingham at Randwick