Sydney jockey Jay Ford needed no persuading to return to Brisbane to ride Maythehorsebemagic in Saturday’s Group Three Queen’s Cup.
Ford partnered the Mike Moroney-trained gelding to a last-start midfield finish in the Tatt’s Cup (2200m) and was impressed enough to commit to another interstate trip for the 3200m Eagle Farm feature.
“I picked up the ride on him last start when I was up there for the Tatt’s Tiara and I thought he went pretty well,” Ford said.
“Michael said to me if I wanted to come back and ride him again in the Queen’s Cup I could and I was happy to because I thought he went pretty well coming back from 3200 metres.
“He was only beaten three lengths and was finishing off strongly.
“I thought in a race like the Queen’s Cup he’s going to be a pretty strong chance.”
Ford and Moroney are no strangers to feature race success together.
Ford won the Group One Spring Champion Stakes on Monaco Consul for Moroney in 2009.
“I used to ride Mr Baritone quite a bit as well when he came to Sydney and I’ve always had a couple of rides here and there for Michael,” Ford said.
“We’ve struck up a good relationship and having won the Group One in Sydney a few years ago for him, it’s always nice to get back on one of his horses.”
Maythehorsebemagic is one of five acceptors with experience over the gruelling two-mile journey.
The seven-year-old son of Zabeel was second in the Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes over the Melbourne Cup course at Flemington in May, a performance which gave Ford plenty of confidence.
“He should be right in it because his run the other day was good and he’s proven over the 3200 metres,” Ford said.
“He ran a good second in the Andrew Ramsden and I think that stands him in pretty good stead for Saturday.”
The Queen’s Cup field includes topweight Booming and former New Zealand stayer Roi D’Jeu.
Jockey Eddie Wilkinson has partnered Shenzhou Steeds to Cup wins at Ipswich and Caloundra for Moroney so far this winter but will turn rival on Saturday as he is booked to partner Roi D’Jeu.
