Jay Ford is well placed to achieve major Magic Millions success on Saturday week but hopes to get the ball rolling at the Gold Coast even sooner.
The Sydney-based jockey has seven rides at the Gold Coast on Saturday including Leapfrog in the $100,000 Bat Out Of Hell Handicap (900m) and Mr Favulous in the $100,000 Gold Coast City Council Handicap (1200m).
The following week he has the plum rides on Magic Millions Guineas favourite Safusa and in-form My Destiny in the Magic Millions Cup to look forward to.
Ford said heading north for Saturday’s meeting was a good opportunity.
“I didn’t have a lot doing in Sydney this weekend and the opportunity came up to go and ride Leapfrog in the Bat Out Of Hell,” Ford said.
“Once I decided to go it sprawled from there and I’ve got seven rides including a couple of nice rides in the features.
“I haven’t ridden there for maybe four or five years now so it will also be good to get my eye in up there. It can’t hurt. I’ve got some nice rides, hopefully I can have a bit of luck tomorrow and it can also be good preparation for the following Saturday as well.”
Leapfrog, prepared by Bruce Hill, finished second to Paprika in the Bat Out Of Hell last year and resumes from an 11-week let-up.
“He has good fresh form and obviously he’s a jump and run horse that looks best suited when he can get out and lead,” Ford said.
“He’s got class on his side and that will carry him a long way I would imagine.”
The six-year-old is rated an $8.50 chance with TAB Sportsbet with Trusted Partner favourite at $3.80.
Mr Favulous, meanwhile, is on the third line of betting for his event at $6.50 with Pear Tart the $2.60 favourite.
“I don’t know a great deal about him (Mr Favulous) but I did see he got back and then got home strongly (for third) behind Nuptse last start,” Ford said.
“It looks like he should run quite competitively tomorrow.”
On Friday at Rosehill, Ford put his Magic Millions Guineas hopeful through his paces with Safusa scoring by 1-1/2-lengths in a 900m barrier trial hitout ahead of Saturday week’s $1 million feature.
“He trialled really well and everything is looking well for the Gold Coast,” Ford said.
AAP TURF
