Mallyon: I’d love to win the cup for pop, my racing idol

KATELYN Mallyon says she is not perturbed by the wide gate on Caulfield Cup runner Sir Isaac Newton but knows getting into a good spot before the first turn is crucial.

THE Caulfield Cup is a high-pressure race and the first furlong (200m) can be crucial.

I learnt this last year when I had my first ride in the race, on Go Dreaming.

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We jumped from barrier one; on Saturday I’ll be in the extreme outside barrier — 17 — with Sir Isaac Newton so the race is a different one for me straight away.

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But that ride last year taught me plenty.

Every jockey in the 17-horse field will be trying to get the best spot before the first corner and if you’re not on your game, that decision could be the difference between winning and losing. It’s just crucial.

If there is one positive about drawing barrier 17 it’s that I’ll be out of a lot of the hustle and bustle going on between everyone on my inside.

I will go forward and hopefully lead the race as soon as I can get there. There are a couple of frontrunners like Kiwi Jon Snow who will also look for the front, but I will have Sir Isaac wherever he is comfortable rolling along.

Jockey Katelyn Mallyon says she intends to go forward as soon as she can on her cup ride Sir Isaac Newton. Picture: Colleen Petch

If I can have him relaxed and comfortable he will tell me, as we get around the back and closer to the home straight, when it will be time to take off.

It’s busy out the back in a big race and I’m certain there will be plenty of itchy fingers among the other riders, all looking for their perfect time to go. I’m just going to have to trust my instincts and listen to my horse.

Fingers crossed Sir Isaac can show us what he really can do on Saturday as his best is certainly good enough, despite the 50-1 price.

To win this race would mean so much because my pop, Mick Mallyon, my racing idol, won it three times.

Every time I put on the blue and white colours for Lloyd Williams I’m always confident I’m on a winning chance. Even more so in the big races.

Last Saturday showed all of us that anything can happen in racing, especially this time of year.

Mick Price’s “surfer boy” Mighty Boss overhauled the heavily backed Kementari in the $2 million Guineas — after I nearly rolled Gailo Chop in the Caulfield Stakes on what is now the Caulfield Cup favourite, Johannes Vermeer.

It was JV’s first start in Australia and he let down with such a strong finish — it’s a credit to Aidan O’Brien and all his staff who have brought the horse over from the UK in such tremendous order.

But that shouldn’t be a surprise, either.

Sir Isaac Newton during a trackwork session at Werribee last year. Picture: Mark Stewart

Aidan knows what he’s doing and he now has the $4.20 Cup favourite and the chance to break the world record for Group 1 wins in a calendar year.

The job on top goes to Ben Melham on Saturday, but that’s OK. It was Ben’s ride the whole way along; I was just filling in for him last week.

As I said, I’m more than happy with Mr Williams’ second runner, Sir Isaac Newton.

Coming down off the cloud of riding in one of Australia’s best and oldest races like the Caulfield Cup isn’t easy, but I have to keep my mind on the job.

Straight after the Cup I’m getting back on Silent Sedition in the Group 2 Tristarc Stakes and believe it or not, I’m out near the car park again. We drew barrier 18 this time.

We ran fifth last time out at Flemington on this mare, behind Keen Array who ran well on Wednesday at Caulfield.

Silent Sedition didn’t quite like the Flemington straight but has only been out of the placings once in five goes around Caulfield. Andrew Noblet has this mare spot on for her second-up attack and with a bit of luck from the barrier I have no doubt she will be in the finish.

I’ve got my fingers crossed our hot streak can continue after getting a win together last Saturday on Super Cash in the Schillachi Stakes.