Apprentice jockey Kristy Bennett is thrilled and delighted to be given the opportunity of riding in her first feature race at Kalgoorlie on Sunday.
Bennett will ride Media Baron for her boss David Harrison in the Listed Blue Spec Drilling Boulder Cup (2100m) and dreams of a fairytale result.
Bennett, closing in on a century of career wins, is rapt to feature in an iconic race and would love nothing more than to repay the faith of Harrison.
“He (David Harrison) didn’t have to put him on and because of that I’m grateful,” Kristy Bennett told The Races WA.
“I’ve only been with Mr Harrison for about a month and he has been really good in building my confidence.
“It would be such a great result if Media Baron could win and I think he has got good claims to do it.”
Harrison says it was an easy decision to offer Bennett the ride on Media Baron in the Boulder Cup.
Bennett takes over from Kyra Yuill who has partnered Media Baron in his past eight starts.
Joe Azzopardi and Paul Harvey had also been regular companions.
Yuill was aboard Media Baron when he won his previous race in the Listed Old Comrade Stakes (1600m) last April.
Harrison said once Yuill became unavailable it was an easy decision to call up and offer Bennett the ride.
“The ones who work for me I always try and be loyal,” Harrison said.
“Kyra wasn’t going to ride at the meeting, Joe (Azzopardi) had another ride and Paul (Harvey) wasn’t coming up either.
“It’s good to be able to give Kristy her first ride in a major race, she deserves it.”
Sentiment aside, Harrison says Media Baron can bounce back after a poor run in last week’s Farnley Stakes (1400m).
Second up this preparation the seven-year-old failed to fire a shot when a distant last to Tellem We’re Comin.
Harrison said Media Baron’s sub-par performance led to a change of plans.
“I thought the run was pretty average, but in saying that it was a frontrunners track,” Harrison said.
“I don’t think anyone really produced their best in that field.
“It sort of swayed me to instead of going to the Hannans (1400m) and then the Kalgoorlie Cup, I would go to the Boulder Cup and Kalgoorlie Cup instead.
“Hopefully he hits the line strongly.”
Harrison says he’s confident Media Baron can go from the 1400m of the Farnley Stakes to the Boulder Cup over 2100m.
“He’s jumped from a mile before and ran second in the Pinjarra Cup (2300m), Harrison said.
“He’s done it before and is a versatile type of horse.
“He can do it.
“I don’t think he will be worrying the leaders on Sunday, but it will do him good for the Kalgoorlie Cup.”
The Boulder Cup has assembled a field of 11 starters with Media Baron drawn in barrier three.
The Kalgoorlie Cup (2200m) is on October 2
