‘It’ll be worth it’: Superstar jockey Jamie Kah’s calorie sacrifice to win ‘dream race’ Cox Plate aboard Broadsiding

Champion jockey Jamie Kah has embraced the hunger pains in a quest to win her “dream race” – the $5m Group 1 Cox Plate (2040) – and inspire a generation.

Jamie Kah riding Cox Plate star Broadsiding at The Valley. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

Champion jockey Jamie Kah has embraced the hunger pains in a quest to win her “dream race” – the $5m Group 1 Cox Plate (2040) – and inspire a generation.

Michelle Payne blazed a trail with a famous Melbourne Cup victory, but Kah has her sights on a slice of history in Australia’s weight-for-age championship at The Valley on Saturday.

“I’d like to win any of the big races (spring majors) but if I had choose one, the Cox Plate is my dream race to win,” Kah told Racenet.

“It’s one of the best days in racing, it’s just an insane feeling riding a winner on Cox Plate Day.”

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Kah rode four winners on the day in 2020 but finished 10th in the main event on Buckhurst.

Her only other ride in the Cox Plate was in 2022 when fourth aboard Zaaki.

Star Godolphin colt Broadsiding is Kah’s best chance to date to win the Cox Plate, hence the calorie sacrifice to get down to the 49.5kg.

“I’ll be very hungry going into the race but that’s fine, it’ll be worth it,” Kah said.

“When you’re down that low, people say it’s only half a kilo from 50kg but it doesn’t come off easily, that last little bit.

“If it was 49kg it would be difficult, 49.5kg will be fine.”

The 14-time Group 1 winner has also not given any weight to Broadsiding’s defeat in the Caulfield Guineas.

WOW! 😮

Private Life wins the Caulfield Guineas at double figures & narrowly denies Feroce 👀 @[e-mail]/QA68lCIC8B

— Racing.com (@Racing) October 12, 2024

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Broadsiding was slow into stride and settled near the rear of the field on a difficult day to make ground at Caulfield.

He wobbled around the home bend and only hit top gear inside the last 150m, finishing fourth, beaten 1 ¼ lengths.

“I’m not looking into that race too much at all,” Kah said.

“I just think it was a perfect run into the Cox Plate, I wouldn’t read into him not winning.”

Kah, who made a frustrating return to the saddle in Sydney last Saturday after a three-week ban, is determined to make up for lost time — starting with the Cox Plate.

The stand-down, for a serious riding offence, allowed Kah to attend Melbourne Cup Tour events at Nathalia and Trentham to share her love for horses.

“I try to be a role model for kids and will continue to do so, starting with winning the Cox Plate” Kah said.

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Broadsiding is $7 with Ladbrokes in what is expected to be a six-horse Cox Plate spectacle.

Prognosis is $3.80 favourite from Via Sistina ($4.20) and Pride Of Jenni ($6).

Mr Brightside ($10) and Docklands ($13) round out the elite weight-for-age field.

Shamus Award in 2013 is the last three-year-old to win the Cox Plate. So You Think achieved the feat in 2009 and defended the title a year later.

Kah identified Broadsiding as a serious Cox Plate candidate in June when they combined to win the Group 2 Sires’ Produce in Brisbane.

“The improvement to that day was unbelievable, a good horse shouldn’t have won the race,” Kah said.

“He was back last, the track was shocking and he made the track feel like it was carpet out there.

“He’s just improved 10 lengths every start, that’s when I had him in my mind as a Cox Plate horse.”

Broadsiding is a chance to gallop again at The Valley on Tuesday morning at Breakfast with the Stars.