Robbie Dolan believes Australian Guineas favourite Profondo is ‘made for Flemington’

Robbie Dolan has no concerns about Profondo jumping out of a wide barrier in the Group 1 Australian Guineas at Flemington.

Profondo in his stall at Flemington ahead of the Australian Guineas. Picture: Vince Caligiuri

Jockey Robbie Dolan is happy to bide his time before unleashing Profondo in a blockbuster $1m Group 1 Australian Guineas at Flemington on Saturday.

The multi-talented Irishman lands in Melbourne on race day to partner Group 1 Spring Champion winner Profondo in the three-year-old feature.

Richard Litt-trained Profondo was set to clash with Anamoe in Sydney on Saturday but heavy rain forced a change of plans.

Dolan, who spent a short time in Melbourne as an aspiring apprentice in 2016 riding track work for John Sadler, has no doubt Profondo will lap up the “lovely big roomy” Flemington circuit.

“A horse like Profondo is made for a track like Flemington,” Dolan, who moonlights as a singer, said.

“A big galloping horse, I’m not too worried with the wide barrier, it gives us a couple of options.

“I think it looks pretty good to map out for him, so fingers crossed.

“You can sit with cover (at Flemington) and slowly start to work into a race like that, I’m happier to be drawn wider than (barrier) one and being caught a couple back on the fence.

“This gives him a bit of galloping room and then show them what we can do the last little bit.”

While realising a dream last spring, becoming a Group 1 jockey, Dolan wants to achieve a second career milestone on Saturday: “To ride a winner at Flemington”.

Dolan’s father Robert, a former jockey, spent 20 years as a groom for champion Irish Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Dermot Weld.

“Everybody knows Flemington, even if you’re not in the racing industry,” Dolan said.

“It’s Randwick and Flemington, the tracks you’d love to ride a winner at.”

Robbie Dolan won his first Group 1 last spring in the Spring Champion Stakes on Profondo. Picture: Getty Images

Dolan trialled $1.9m Deep Impact colt Profondo at Warwick Farm on Monday, cruising to victory in the 1175m tune-up on the synthetic track.

“The horse has come back a lovely horse this preparation, really furnished,” Dolan said.

“He’s always been a good looking horse but he’s a really good looking horse now and should be in for a very good preparation.”

Despite fierce interest and lobbying from big-name and accomplished jockeys wanting to ride Profondo, trainer Richard Litt and owner, Ottavia Galletta, have remained loyal to the 26-year-old.

“Nowadays when the trainers and owners find a good horse the first thing they want to do is put Hughie Bowman and J-Mac (James McDonald) on,” Dolan said.

“Why not put me on? I haven’t done anything wrong by the horse, just working hard, riding his work and trying my best.

“The owners are really genuine people and see that … obviously a lot of people ringing for the ride, but Richard and the Galletta family have been so good to me, I really appreciate it.”

Dolan was sidelined for several months last year with an excruciating condition in his left arm, a nerve issue known as brachial neuritis.

The popular jockey, who performs gigs as a singer, overcame the nerve issue, known as brachial neuritis, in time to maintain his association with Profondo towards the Spring Champion Stakes victory.

“It was very difficult mentally and physically, I was very hard, I was in a lot of pain and didn’t know if I was ever going to ride again,” Dolan said.

“Fate I suppose, I came back right as Profondo was starting to trial and managed to stay on him.

“When I was crying in the interview after the race (Spring Champion), a big part of it was because I didn’t know if I was ever going to ride again … a few months prior I couldn’t even straighten my arm or pick anything up, it was scary.

“It’s great to be back and I think, personally, I’m riding as good as ever.”

Originally published as Robbie Dolan believes Australian Guineas favourite Profondo is ‘made for Flemington’