Luke Currie is pinning his autumn carnival hopes on Hey Doc
The horse jockey Luke Currie is pinning his autumn carnival hopes on will make his return in the Manfred Stakes at Caulfield.
Currie has formed a fruitful association with the Tony McEvoy-trained Hey Doc and is looking forward to being back aboard the gelding in Saturday’s Group Three 1200m race for three-year-olds.
Hey Doc rose to prominence last preparation with three-straight wins in town, including in the Bill Stutt Stakes at Moonee Valley, to earn a crack at the Group One Caulfield Guineas in which he finished a close third behind Divine Prophet and Seaburge.
His campaign ended after his fourth in the Carbine Club Stakes at Flemington.
“I don’t think he has to improve much to be a top line horse,” Currie said.
“So he’s pretty exciting.
“He’s probably the nicest horse I’m riding at the moment.
“I suppose Tony has got a lot of two-year-olds. Some I’ve had the chance to ride and hopefully I get the chance to hop on a few when the opportunity arises, but he’s definitely the one of the older horses.”
Hey Doc is equal favourite for the Manfred at $4.60 in an early market along with Sandown Guineas winner Morton’s Fork.
Group Two winner Legless Veuve is the only filly in the12-horse field.
Currie has ridden Hey Doc in work since since he arrived back in Melbourne to prepare for his return and while the jockey is hoping he makes a winning start to his campaign, he believes he will also improve on whatever he does.
“He’s been in Adelaide and came over last week,” Currie said.
“I’ve been on his back twice and he’s still not wound right up. He’s still got a bit of improvement in him but he looks well enough to give a good showing this week.
“Last time in he seemed to improve with work so he’ll probably do the same this time. He furnished a little bit, but he seems a little bit more relaxed to ride at the moment so hopefully that will hold him in better stead.
“He was quite revvy early last time in.
“Hopefully he can settle and save that energy.”
Hey Doc is an $11 chance for the Australian Guineas next month.
