Pat Hyland is looking to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his first Victoria Derby win as a jockey by training a Group One winner on the famous raceday at Flemington.
Hyland, who rode Craftsman to win the Derby in 1963, saddles up Bonaria in Saturday’s Myer Classic – one of four Group Ones on the program.
“She’s in great shape,” Hyland said.
“Everything is going well so I’m going into the race full of confidence.”
Bonaria won twice over 1600m at Flemington during the autumn including a Group Three, while her only start at the track this campaign was a fourth to Commanding Jewel in the Let’s Elope Stakes over 1410m.
The mare was second to Myer rival Zonza last start at Caulfield.
“This is the race we planned for her and she’s going into it fit and well,” Hyland said.
“I hope she can win.”
Red Tracer is the dominant favourite but Hyland is not frightened of any mares in the race, pointing to Bonaria’s second in last year’s Blazer Stakes to the now retired multiple Group One winner Mosheen at Flemington.
“I don’t think there’s any Mosheens in this race,” he said.
Hyland is one of seven people to have ridden the winner of a Melbourne Cup, Cox Plate, Caulfield Cup and Golden Slipper during his career in the saddle.
He has accepted an invitation to the Victoria Racing Club committee room on Saturday to mark the 50 years since his first of two Victoria Derby wins.
“That (winning the Derby on Craftsman) is something that’s all in the past of course, but by the same token it would be nice to be in the committee room and win a Group One race, wouldn’t it?” he said.
Hyland has fond memories of Craftsman.
“It’s 50 years ago … but he was a wonderful horse and I’ll never forget him,” he said.
