He’s ridden the best, now he’s going to ride the worst.
Three-time Melbourne Cup winning jockey Glen Boss will partner 86-start maiden Vote For Lust at the Mildura Cup meeting on Sunday.
Best known for his association with champion mare Makybe Diva who he rode to three successive Melbourne Cup victories, Boss has taken five rides at Mildura including the Mick Price-trained Faster Son in the feature Mildura Cup (1400m).
But getting Vote For Lust home a winner in the 1800m maiden is likely to be too great a challenge even for Boss.
In a desperate attempt to break one of the longest losing streaks in Australian racing history, Boss has been engaged to ride the John Castleman-trained nine-year-old.
Vote For Lust is sponsored by wagering operator Betfair which also has a sponsorship agreement with the Mildura Racing Club.
“I am really excited about heading to Mildura on Sunday. Vote For Lust has developed a cult following and if my involvement can help the Mildura Club on their annual Cup day, that’s fantastic,” Boss said.
Betfair’s media and communications manager Mathew Thompson said the sponsorship of Vote For Lust had generated a lot of interest.
“I am staggered by the groundswell of public support for Vote For Lust since we started our sponsorship in January,” Thompson said.
“He’s a horse that typifies the notion of the Aussie battler and we are proud to have played a part in highlighting this great racing story.”
Castleman is rapt to have the world-renowned Boss in the saddle and hasn’t yet given up on his horse.
“I know it’s his 87th start but he’s cherry-ripe for Cup day and I reckon the old boy has a hoof on the till,” Castleman said.
Mildura Race Club CEO Aaron Garvie says the appearances of Boss and Vote For Lust will be a significant drawcard.
Vote For Lust, who ran last at Swan Hill at his race debut in December 2005, has been placed 10 times and earned $21,532.
He has been unplaced at his past 12 starts.
