Brenton Avdulla enjoyed the thrill of a Group One success during the spring carnival and is determined to experience it again aboard Melito in the Chipping Norton Stakes.
“That Group Two win last Saturday with Ilovethiscity wasn’t far away from that feeling,” the in-form jockey said on Friday.
“I’m looking forward to tomorrow and hopefully I can get that feeling again.”
Avdulla scored a breakthrough Group One win on Secret Admirer as an apprentice in the Flight Stakes last October, and the 20-year-old has been riding the crest of a wave in recent weeks with feature wins in the Group Two Apollo Stakes (Melito), Group Two Hobartville Stakes (Ilovethiscity) and Listed Fireball Quality (Decision Time).
He is confident outstanding mare Melito can back up her first-up Apollo Stakes win in Saturday’s Group One Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) despite the four-year-old coming up with the outside barrier.
“She’s drawn that little bit awkwardly in barrier 13 of 13 but you’ve got Gai Waterhouse-trained horses that have drawn in nine, 10, 11 and 12 that you think are going to roll forward,” Avdulla said.
“I think the only doubt in everyone’s mind is whether she is going to run the strong mile (1600m). I think she will, I can’t see why she won’t, and Gerald (Ryan) has trained her to run the mile this time in.
“I’m really looking forward to the race and hopefully she can get up for us.”
Avdulla was positive on Melito first-up in the Apollo Stakes (1400m) and went forward to sit outside Hot Danish before Melito put the race away in the straight with a strong turn of foot.
The jockey sees no reason to change tactics from the outside barrier.
“I just think if she gets the right run in transit she’s the one they’ve all got to beat,” Avdulla said.
One of the four Waterhouse-trained Chipping Norton hopefuls in last year’s AJC Australian Oaks winner Once Were Wild, who finished fourth to Melito first-up in the Apollo.
The four-year-old is a welcome pick-up ride for experienced jockey Rod Quinn, who was only sounded out about his availability on Tuesday night.
“It was a nice surprise,” Quinn said.
“They are getting her ready for the Sydney Cup but she ran well first-up, she’ll put herself in the race and keep going so she’s a handy ride in a good race.
“I’m quite happy about picking the ride up.”
Melito is the $3.20 favourite for Sydney’s first Group One of the year with returning Melbourne Cup runner-up Maluckyday second pick at $5.50.
Once Were Wild ($9) is just being shaded in betting by warhorse Theseo ($8) as the best of the Waterhouse contingent, which also comprises Caulfield Cup winner Descarado and Lorne Dancer.
The David Payne-trained Centennial Park, winner of the Expressway Stakes and third to Melito and Hot Danish in the Apollo, is at $7 but will need a new jockey after Corey Brown was stood down on Friday after being injured at the Randwick barrier trials.
Stewards have given permission for connections to delay a decision on a jockey until scratching time on Saturday morning.
AAP TURF
