Even Rachel King finds it exciting to believe that her globe-crossing riding Odessey has taken her from one end of the world to the other a number of times since last winter as her two-month stint in Japan rounds out next weekend.
From Australia to Royal Ascot, plus Hong Kong, USA, Saudia Arabia, England again, plus Japan twice.
“I won’t know what home looks like,” King quipped before riding a winner in the final leg in the International Jockeys’ Challenge at Riyadh on the opening night of the Saudi Cup meeting.
“I’ll get back to Sydney and with the carnival getting going there and I’ll try and get my foot back in the door.
“It has been busy, especially riding on weekends like this where I’m on a flight at 3am tomorrow to get back to Japan to ride in a group one there.
“I’m getting really good support but riding two days a week in Japan is a bit different to the workload in Australia.
“The race days are busy and it is good to get the midweek break.”
With Christophe Soumillon also on assignment in Saudi Arabia, King has landed the ride on Costa Nova in the Group 1 February Stakes (1600m) on the dirt track at Tokyo today.
A five-year-old son of Lord Kanaloa and future stallion prospect, Costa Nova has notched six wins and one placing in his nine starts so far.
“Hopefully I’ve got a good ride for Northern Farm,” she said of the last start Group 3 Negishi Stakes (1400m) winner in a 122 performance according to Racing and Sports ratings.
“I just had a quick chat to Christophe, and he won the lead-up race quite impressively.
“He has a very good way about his racing and is on the up bit this is his biggest test.
“He has been putting his hand up and Christophe gave me a push that he’s a good ride in a group one.”
On returning to Australia, King is looking forward to reuniting with Group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) winner Arapaho towards the Sydney Autumn Carnival features.
The Bjorn Baker-trained gelding is likely to line up at Randwick on Saturday after finishing fifth first-up behind Fangirl in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes on February 15.
“He’ll run again next week and all being well I’ll be back on him after that.
“It is tricky when other jockeys have been on these horses while I’ve been away, but I get great support from Bjorn and Gai Waterhouse.
“Hopefully they are happy to chuck me on when I get back.”
