Caulfield Cup 2016: Starving, but taste of glory worth it
A GAUNT-looking Nick Hall says he’d go through the food deprivation all again if it meant winning the Caulfield Cup on Jameka.
Racing
Don't miss out on the headlines from Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A GAUNT-looking Nick Hall couldn’t care less about the toll he put his body through to shed almost 5kg in a week, depriving himself of food and fluids in order to win Saturday’s $3 million Caulfield Cup on Jameka.
The rewards for stripping off almost a 10th of his body weight to ride the Cup favourite came not only with his second success in the race, but in a belief he can now win the Melbourne Cup on the Ciaron Maher-trained mare who created history herself at Caulfield on Saturday.
HOW THEY FINISHED AND WHAT THE JOCKEYS SAID
CUP-TO-CUP JOURNEY: HALL BELIEVES MARE HAS WHAT IT TAKES
“I had to do it pretty tough,” Hall said.
“It was worth it, you would do it every time (to ride) a favourite in a (Caulfield) Cup.”
Hall, 29, was forced to undergo a strict diet, and was noticeably exhausted and craving water after dismounting.
He went down to the jockeys’ room to get some fluids into him and didn’t return until the presentation almost 10 minutes later.
“I enjoy the challenge (of dieting), it plays on my crazy (mindset) a little bit,” Hall said.
“I don’t mind it at all.
“It (the diet) is pretty involved. It started with a cleanse ... it is limited foods and a lot of water had to come off. I’m exhausted, but it was worth it.”
Hall rode at 55kg last week, but generally weighs about 56kg. He had to get down to 52.5kg yesterday, but had a steely determination to make it happen.
Knowing Jameka will now cop a penalty for yesterday’s stunning win means Hall won’t have to get down as low for the Melbourne Cup.
“It will just mean I am stronger,” he said. “We will go to the Melbourne Cup and (Jameka) will win that, too. She will relish the extra distance.”
Stewards query Pride Of Jenni Toorak entry
Racing Victoria stewards have inquired into leading trainer Ciaron Maher’s decision to enter star mare Pride Of Jenni for Saturday’s Group 1 Toorak Handicap at Caulfield.
Melbourne Cup weight penalty for Bart Cummings winner
Just Fine’s gutsy win earned him a Melbourne Cup weight penalty, while Racing Victoria also announced penalties for last Saturday’s Epsom Handicap and Metropolitan winners.