English jockey James Doyle has opened his Australian account
English jockey James Doyle has opened his Australian account, riding two-year-old colt Trekking to victory at Rosehill.
The 28-year-old has been brought to Australia to fill in for Godolphin’s retained jockey James McDonald who is not riding after being charged with a betting offence.
Doyle bullocked his way clear at the 300m mark, aggressively shifting Trekking off the fence and the colt sprinted clear to win the Schweppes Plate (1100) by 1-1/2 lengths on Saturday.
“He got a little bit lost once he broke into the clear but he knuckled down after a couple of slaps,” Doyle said.
Doyle, who has been to Australia four times previously without success, said he was looking forward to adapting to a different style of racing.
“I really want to succeed out here,” he said.
Trekking was supported in the market in the lead-up to the race and jumped the $1.90 favourite.
The Bjorn Baker-trained Goodfella ($17) finished second and Trekking’s stablemate Gaulois ($6) filled the minor placing.
Trainer John O’Shea said Doyle had asserted his authority over the race.
“If the boys thought they were going to put it over him when he got here they might have a different approach going forward,” O’Shea said
“He is a world-class rider not just a good rider.”
O’Shea said Trekking had avoided being gelded with his debut win and would be spelled to return in autumn.
“One thing he does have is ability and that takes you a long way,” O’Shea said.
“He’s more a horse we had pegged as a Caulfield Guineas horse next season.”
