Tyler Schiller aiming for sixth straight victory on Jedibeel in Group 1 Doomben 10,000

Tyler Schiller has a superb record on Jedibeel which he hopes can continue in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 on Saturday.

“I got along with him really well” could be horse racing’s understatement of the year given Tyler Schiller’s amazing record on Doomben 10,000 contender Jedibeel.

The Sydney-based jockey has won six out of his nine rides, including his past five, on the Brad Widdup-trained gelding heading into Saturday’s Group 1 contest over 1200m.

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Schiller has clearly developed a strong affinity with Jedibeel but riding the five-year-old still comes with some imposing challenges.

“I get along with him really well. He’s fairly casual and he’s easy to ride,” Schiller said about the Group 2 Challenge Stakes champion.

But now comes the caveat.

“To get him to use himself properly and hit the front at the right time, I think it’s a bit of a struggle,” Schiller added.

“He travels so well and you think you can just pop up and let him rip like any other horse could.

“He’s got a short, sharp dash on him but as soon as you let him off the bridle, he probably peaks on his run quite quickly.

“But to his credit, he’s come a long way in his last couple of preps. He’s still got a short dash but it’s more sustained now.”

Tyler Schiller has won six races, including five straight, on Jedibeel. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

When Doomben 10,000 markets opened this week, Jedibeel was listed as a $14 chance but has since firmed to around $10, with potential The Everest entrant Sunshine In Paris still the favourite at $4.40.

Jedibeel is coming off a thrilling last-start runner-up finish to $81 roughie Libertad in this month’s Group 2 Victory Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm.

• Doomben 10,000 runner-by-runner guide

Widdup chuckled when asked whether he’d like to get revenge on the Annabel and Rob Archibald-trained Libertad ($34) in the Doomben 10,000.

“I’d like to get revenge on a few, not just Libertad,” he said.

“But it’s great to be in a race like this with a horse who should be competitive from the draw (barrier two) and with the right rider.

“It’s nice to have Tyler on. I don’t think there’s anything mystical about it (Schiller’s superb record on Jedibeel).

“He suits the horse and the horse seems to respond well for him.

“In saying that, the horse has a pretty good record too. Tyler’s probably just been on the right day all the way through.”

• ‘Veight’s wheels will spin’: McEvoy worried about heavy track

Schiller said $190,000 purchase Jedibeel was a versatile gelding who could handle both soft and heavy tracks.

“The only issue is 1200m, which is probably his maximum at the moment,” the 26-year-old said.

“I’m hoping we can get a good suck run from behind and use his strength, which is his turn of foot late, and hopefully reverse his result the other day (in the Victory Stakes). I can’t believe he got beat.”

Schiller said the expected hot speed in the Doomben 10,000 on a rain-affected track should suit champion jockey James McDonald on two-time Group 1 winner Sunshine In Paris.

“If James gets her into a three-wide-with-cover lane then hopefully we can get away from the inside,” Schiller said

“I’m just hoping they go quick enough that we’re not out of our comfort zone and we can get over the top of them late.”

Originally published as Tyler Schiller aiming for sixth straight victory on Jedibeel in Group 1 Doomben 10,000