David Pires on his chances of a third Hobart Cup this weekend

Tasmanian jockey David Pires will chase a third Hobart Cup victory on Sunday and it almost didn’t happen after a fall several years ago. He gives his thoughts on the race ahead.

Eva Somerville, Megan Somerville (managing owner and breeder of Travelling Gigilo,) TRC racing ambassador Lara Upton, Wayne Upton and jockey David Pires.

Medical experts considered the riding career of champion Tasmanian jockey David Pires was all but over after injuries sustained in a race fall in 2018.

But fast forward to Sunday and he will be chasing his third Hobart Cup when he teams up with the John Keys trained Travelling Gigolo, in the 150th running at Elwick.

The barrier draw for the Cup was held at the Elwick Racecourse on Wednesday, where Travelling Gigolo drew barrier four in the $300,000 Group 3 event.

“I’m really happy with barrier four. I discussed with a couple of owners this morning on what barrier I would like, and I said four, so it was a good result to get that draw with this horse,” Pires, speaking at the barrier draw function, said.

Travelling Gigolo, who was second in last year’s race, contested races interstate in October, but the preparation was cut short.

“He got a little bit crook while he was away, but he is a lot better now back on the sand at Seven Mile Beach. I thought his last start in the Summer Cup (at Elwick on 21 January) was very good and he drops 59kg to 54kg for the Hobart Cup,” the jockey explained.

Of the 10 runners, four are trained interstate, including Wyclif in barrier one with two-time Launceston Cup winner Aurora’s Symphony drawn next door in barrier two.

While Grand Pierro drew seven and recent Summer Cup winner, Alhambra Lad drew out in barrier nine.

Travelling Gigolo. Picture: Peter Staples

“Even though it’s a small field, it’s an even race. Obviously the mainlanders are going to be hard to beat, but if I can get a nice cart up in a race if there’s genuine tempo I think he can finish off nice and strong,” Pires said about his chances.

Pires previous Hobart Cup success came with Up Cups and Count Da Vinci in 2016 and 2017.

He is a multiple premiership-winning jockey in Tasmania, but his riding career was almost cut short when he was involved in a race fall in 2018 at Elwick, where he fractured his hip.

After 12 months, there was no improvement, and he was told his riding career was likely over, but after further surgery, things improved in his eventual recovery.

“I had a few recommend not to go back race riding, especially the main surgeon at one stage, but in the end, he did say I could go back race riding, but it would just depend on how long my hip would hold up before I would need a replacement, it’s been five years now and is still going well, which is a credit to the surgeon,” Pires explained.

“To win another Hobart Cup after my injury near the end of my career would be an incredible achievement.”

The two-day Hobart Cup carnival commences on Friday with the Group 3 Tasmanian Derby and Group 3 Mystic Journey Stakes.

Final field for the 150th Hobart Cup (2400m)

Race 9 – 4:40pm Sunday at Elwick

Number, Horse, Jockey, Barrier

1. Aurora’s Symphony – Jordan Childs (2)

2. Alhambra Lad – Jye McNeil (9)

3. Swoop Dog – Sigrid Carr (8)

4. Ashy Boy – Craig Newitt (6)

5. Grand Pierro – Craig Williams (7)

6. Wyclif – Carleen Hefel (1)

7. Assaranca – Anthony Darmanin (5)

8. Rising Light – Codi Jordan (10)

9. Travelling Gigolo – David Pires (4)

10. Metaverse – Erica Byrne Burke (3)

Duncan Dornauf is also a race caller for Sky Racing.