Linda Meech has answered a call from Peter Moody to partner his two Rosehill runners on Saturday including exciting three-year-old Moment Of Change.
It will be a rare Sydney visit from the New Zealand-born jockey who was indentured to Moody during her apprenticeship and does much of his riding around the Victorian provincial circuit.
Meech, who bagged four of the seven races at Wodonga last Saturday, has ridden 61 winners in Victoria this season and sits fifth in the state jockeys’ premiership.
That is despite taking a break in January to recharge her batteries.
“I had January off. I got a bit tired and was a bit worn out,” Meech said.
It is little wonder given the travelling she does to ride at the various provincial tracks in Victoria.
But Meech is also no stranger to Sydney.
She was based in the harbour city for a couple of years and enjoyed good support from trainers the ilk of Gai Waterhouse and Paul Perry before heading back to Victoria at the beginning of 2008.
“It was great. I met lots of nice people and made quite a few friends so it was a good time,” Meech said of her Sydney tenure.
A victory aboard Moment Of Change in Saturday’s Group Two Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill would deliver Meech her biggest career success.
She has won a handful of stakes races, the highlight a Group Three Tasmanian Derby aboard Betwixt for Mick Price in 2009 while she teamed with Moody to snare last year’s Listed Dermody Stakes on Kulgrinda.
Moment Of Change is considered a live chance in the Hobartville and is on the third line of TAB Sportsbet markets at $7.
Third behind Hot Snitzel and Manawanui at his Sydney debut in the Royal Sovereign Stakes (1200m), Meech expects him to improve from the experience.
She knows the three-year-old well having ridden him at his first two starts, including a 10-length debut victory in August.
“He’s a pretty good horse. Hopefully he will acquit himself well on Saturday,” Meech said.
Moment Of Change led when he posted his first two wins and again took up the running in the Royal Sovereign with Blake Shinn in the saddle.
Shinn is missing on Saturday through suspension and Meech won’t be drawn on whether they might try to ride Moment Of Change more quietly over the longer trip.
“I normally just do what Peter tells me to do,” Meech said.
“I’ve ridden a lot of winners for him. He’s really good to ride for.”
Meech will also partner the Moody-trained Mr Make Believe in the Endeavour Foundation Recycled Clothing Handicap (1500m).
It will be her first ride on the five-year-old for almost a year but horse and jockey have a great rapport.
Meech has ridden the gelding five times for four wins and a second.
“He’s one of my old favourites so it will be nice to ride him,” Meech said.
“He will be suited on a wet track.”
AAP TURF
