South Australian-based jockey Barend VorsterĀ is making a rareĀ tripĀ across the border to ride in a Group 1 race for his old boss.
Vorster rides Belle PlaisirĀ in the Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday for Tony and Calvin McEvoy.
Tony McEvoy was instrumental inĀ luringĀ VorsterĀ from SingaporeĀ to become his stable rider in South AustraliaĀ and the pairĀ haveĀ had considerable success together.
But when McEvoy’s training establishment closed in the Barossa earlier this year and the McEvoy’s moved to Ballarat, Vorster remainedĀ in South Australia,Ā currentlyĀ leadingĀ the Jockeys’ premiership.
Vorster is no stranger to Group 1 success at Flemington, riding Sunlight to victory in the 2019Ā Newmarket Handicap shortly after his arrival in Australia.
The ride on Belle Plaisir came about more through luck.
Vorster was coming to Melbourne to ride More Reward in the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes and the Group 1 Victorian Oaks before injuryĀ forced an alteration toĀ plans.
“As I thought I was coming over, that got me started chasing a few other rides,” Vorster said.
“Tony gave me the offer of riding Belle Plaisir, so that was the main attraction and I’ve been lucky enough to pick up a couple of otherĀ ones on Friday night and Saturday.
“It’s good to come over again.”
Vorster scored on Belle Plaisir during the Adelaide Carnival in May when she won the Group 3 R A Lee Stakes (1600m)Ā after finishing fourth at his only other ride on the mare.
Belle Plaisir ran second in the Group 3 Ladies Day Vase at Caulfield on October 12 before running fourth in The InvitationĀ (1400m) atĀ Randwick last Saturday.
“She’s a nice mare,” Vorster said.
“She won aĀ really niceĀ race for meĀ during the carnivalĀ back homeĀ and then they took her up toĀ Queensland,Ā but it was a bit firm up there.
“She’s come back and doneĀ well,Ā and the addition of blinkers have done her well, she’s putting herself into races a little more positively.
“Her run last Saturday wasĀ really good and providing she backsĀ up,Ā I think she will go into that race with a bit of a chance.”
Vorster drove to Ballarat on WednesdayĀ to rideĀ in jump-outs forĀ the McEvoy’sĀ on Thursday before making his way down to Melbourne.
He said there was a slim chance of picking up a ride in theĀ Group 1Ā Melbourne Cup on Tuesday, butĀ that depends on what happens in theĀ Group 3Ā Archer Stakes on Saturday.
