Champion jockey Paul Shiers aiming to win Darwin Cup for first time
WITH nine Darwin Guineas wins, six NT Derbies and countless other big feature race wins in the Top End there is not much room in champion jockey Paul Shiers’ trophy cabinet.
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WITH nine Darwin Guineas wins, six NT Derbies and countless other big feature race wins in the Top End there is not much room in champion jockey Paul Shiers’ trophy cabinet.
But there is one thing that is missing: the Darwin Cup.
Shiers has been thrown a lifeline in his quest to win the ultimate prize on offer in the NT after Lloyd Kennewell’s stable jockey Joe Bowditch was injured in a race fall at Sale on Wednesday, allowing Shiers to continue his association with Poet’s Landing.
“It’s terrible for Joe what happened on Wednesday,” Shiers told the NT News.
Shiers thought he would be watching today’s $200,000 race from the stands and the big race would elude him for another year.
But he seems destined for a change of luck in the big race that will bring the city to a standstill at 5.35pm.
“I’ve run five seconds and a couple of thirds,” he said.
Poet’s Landing will also be aiming to win the $100,000 Ladbrokes Triple Crown bonus after victories in the Guineas and NT Derby earlier in the Carnival.
A heavyweight rider normally riding at 56.5kg, Shiers will ride the four-year-old with 55.5kg today. “Lucky my weight is OK and I was able to pick up the ride,” he said.
“I was always aiming at riding 56kg Cup weekend.
“I’ve just had to try that little bit harder to drop that extra half kilo.”
SHIERS aiming to win first Darwin Cup
Tactics will play a part in the race and Shiers will look to similar tactics to Poet’s Landings recent wins in the Guineas and Derby.
“Find some cover, nice easy first half of the race and work into it from there,” Shiers said.
It could be a fairytale for the well-respected hoop and the connections of Poet Landing.
“It would be one hell of a party afterwards,” he said.
Stable representative Gary Kennewell, Lloyd’s father, was pleased with the barrier draw of 8. He will come into seven if the emergencies are withdrawn. “I’m sure there will be speed on in the race, hopefully we can slot in somewhere midfield,” Gary Kennewell said.
“Get a nice run and leave the rest up to Paul Shiers.”
With the Triple Crown on the line, it would be a monumental effort for Poet’s Landing to win today.
WEATHER forecast for the Darwin Cup
“He’s had three starts on the track for three wins so hopefully he can keep the picket fence going,” Kennewell said. Kennewell had much respect for a couple of other runners in the race.
“Obviously Lieder and Ihtsahymn are the ones to beat; they both won very well the other day,” he said.
“Our bloke’s (Poet’s Landing) been really well, he’s sound and going into the race in good condition”.
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A crowd of up to 20,000 is expected at the Cup where Lieder is a dominant $2.20 favourite ahead of West Australian galloper Ihytsahymn. Lieder is the horse everyone is talking about after his dominant win in the Buntine Handicap.
Trainer Michael Hickmott pegged this race for Lieder this day last year when he ran second behind Zahspeed, who was flying at the time.
Professional punters are expected to launch into Lieder today and there’s a chance he could start an odds-on favourite, which is a rarity in the Darwin Cup.
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