Jag Guthmann-Chester will take the reins in his first Group 1 ride when he gets the leg-up aboard the Tony and Maddysen Sears trained Beau Dazzler and heads out to face the starter in the Group 1 Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Guthmann-Chester, a highly competent rider well deserving of the opportunity, has ridden Beau Dazzler in the colt’s last five starts, covering a set of results which includes impressive, successive victories in the Group 3 Grand Prix over 1800m, and the Quality Eagle Way over 2100m as well as a smart third place in the Queensland Guineas (1600m) when finishing less than three lengths behind the more-than-useful Depth Of Character.
During all of this time two sets of relationships, entwined in the same common goal, were developing in a most positive fashion … that between the co-trainers and the jockey … and the jockey and the horse, forming a solid grounding on which to launch their Derby aspirations.
“I hadn’t had a massive relationship with the Sears camp until Beau Dazzler,” offered Guthmann-Chester. “I had obviously ridden a few winners for them over the years, but this opportunity came out of nowhere.
“When he (Beau Dazzler) was second-up last prep, going into the City and Surf back in November, I managed to pick up the ride.
“That day they (Tony and Maddysen Sears) told me in the mounting yard they had a high opinion of the horse,” continued Guthmann-Chester. “They told me it was a Derby type. Beau Dazzler hasn’t been out over the trip (2400m) yet, but they said they always believed that would be when he is at his best.
“I think a few other jockeys didn’t want to commit to the ride and they wanted to have someone who would stick with it and commit to take the ride all the way through to the Derby. Obviously, that meant opportunities in bigger races for me. I haven’t had a lot of opportunity there so, for me, I was happy to put my hand up.
“The very next start he came out and won the Grand Prix … which was my first Group race winner. Then, next start, he won the Eagle Way, so I was obviously pleased I was sticking with him … and the stable were sticking by me.
“They showed loyalty. They had pretty much locked me in for the whole prep and, true to their word, they have kept me on for the Derby.
“It’s great to have that loyalty which is not always the case, You know … it is part of the game that when it comes to the big races … the grand finals … there will generally be people looking for rides and they … whether it’s the trainers or the owners … could put anybody on.
“I don’t blame them sometimes … that’s just the way it goes when a more high-profile jockey is available, but, unfortunately, to get there … to be in the position where those top jockeys are … sometimes you need to be given the opportunity. You can’t get there without the opportunity.
“Tony and Maddysen Sears have stuck by me. I’m grateful.
“Hopefully, I can repay them.”
Beau Dazzler is at $27 with online betting sites to win the Queensland Derby.
