A former French-based horse, trained by a Kiwi and ridden by a South African will wear the colours of the Australian flag in the feature race at Warwick Farm on Thursday.
As part of the Australia Day celebrations, one jockey in each of the first six races at Warwick Farm will carry special Australia Day silks featuring the Australian flag.
In the $100,000 Listed Australia Day Cup (2400m), the colours will be worn by internationally-experienced hoop Glyn Schofield who rides the Chris Waller-trained import Wazn.
“And the horse usually races in the colours of Ken Hunt who is an Englishman,” Waller added.
“He has given the club permission for the horse to race in the Australia colours tomorrow.
“You get to keep the colours and I think it’s a great idea.”
Waller moved to Australia 11 years ago from New Zealand and has enjoyed remarkable success including claiming his first Sydney trainers’ premiership last season.
Schofield, who has been based in Sydney for the past four years and is currently second on the Sydney jockeys’ premiership, is happy to sport the special silks.
“I’ve got a little South African flag on the back of a lot of my riding pants,” Schofield said.
“I’ll make sure I take them and wear them as well so I have both flags on me.”
Another of the horse’s who will sport the special silks is Australian Star in the second race.
“We felt that was appropriate so we approached the connections and they were happy to do it,” said Australian Turf Club racing manager Colin Tuck.
If any jockey wearing Australia Day silks wins on the day, racebook holders will score a $5 TAB bet to spend on a race of their choice at Warwick Farm.
Patrons who wear clothing bearing an Australian flag will also receive free course entry.
AAP TURF
