Jim Byrne hooked on Kebede in Queensland Oaks

JOCKEY Jim Byrne wants to bound back to his Group 1-winning best on Super Saturday, after admitting he got things wrong with his Doomben 10,000 ride on Hooked.

BEN DORRIES @dorries_cmail

2 min read

June 7, 2016 - 4:17PM

Jim Byrne believes Kebede is a great chance in the Queensland Oaks.

JOCKEY Jim Byrne wants to bound back to his Group 1 winning best on Super Saturday, after admitting he got things wrong with his Doomben 10,000 ride on Hooked.

The vastly experienced Byrne was a hot topic of conversation when he rode Hooked and got into a frantic speed battle with Fell Swoop and Two Blue in the 10,000.

Trainer John Thompson was furious when Hooked ran out of puff after going too hard in the middle stages to be beaten five lengths when seventh to Music Magnate.

“There were two Group 1s today, the race and the spray I just gave my jockey,” Thompson said post-race.

Byrne was more than happy to put his hand up and admit he got things wrong on Hooked. But he insists there is no point in dwelling on the past.

He would much prefer to look forward to striving for Group 1 Queensland Oaks glory aboard the Matt Dunn-trained Kebede on Saturday.

“Hooked was running so heavy through the bridle in the 10,000 that the only way I could have got the horse back was to check it,” Byrne said.

“I didn’t do that and looking back I should have and then perhaps things would have turned out differently. But I am not going to beat myself up about it, because if I did that you would never ride winners. I have tried not to dwell on it and I have certainly moved on.

“Kebede now gives me a great chance to win a Group 1.

“I was glad they scrapped the Oaks meeting last Saturday because Kebede is unknown on a heavy, dour track.

Jim Byrne steers Kebede to victory at Doomben last month.

“The bookies keep leaving her out of the (betting) market and that is great because at the end of the day there is no real pressure on her.

“She goes into the race not really fancied that much but I think she is a great chance. I don’t see any downside to coming to Eagle Farm because the big straight is going to be an asset to her.”

Sydney jockey Tye Angland will regain the ride on Hooked in the Stradbroke and Byrne believes the sprinter-miler is a great prospect to win Queensland’s richest race. Hooked is $41 in latest Stradbroke markets but Byrne is convinced he is a far better hope than that.

“We ran way too quick in the first half of the Doomben 10,000 and now he drops from 59kg to 54kg,” Byrne said. “I really wish the connections all the best and I am positive the horse will give a great sight.”

QUEENSLAND OAKS

Eagle Farm, Saturday

$6 Imposing Lass

$7.50 Falkenberg

$8.50 Provocative

$9 Dawnie Perfect, Romantic Maid

$12 Ambience

$13 Chabaud, Kebede