Here’s a story about dreaming, hoping, praying, staying the course and believing in yourself.
Canberra-based hoop Quayde Krogh, who a month ago was riding in $10k races at Braidwood, has a live chance at Rosehill in the Gr 1 Coolmore Classic on Saturday.
That race is worth $600,000 and he will guide CAP ESTEL (Zoustar – Our Drahma Queen) around for trainer Anthony Cummings.
And she is not without some chance.
The 3YO filly has won two of her past three races and absolutely loves the mud.
It will of course be rather heavy on Saturday.
But what an amazing rise in grade for Krogh who just wouldn’t ever have seen this opportunity coming even a few weeks ago.
There really is a sense of Rocky v Apollo Creed about all this. Krogh, a rider not many people have ever heard of, is not a regular to the city tracks, rarely ever rides in town on a Saturday and as mentioned is Canberra based these days, but, miraculously has been given the call up.
Yes, his weight played a role. The filly will carry just 50kg, and she too is rising a long way in grade with her best effort being a win when on speed at Randwick in a BM 72.
In this race she faces last year’s winner KRONE (Eurozone – Soft Landing), as well as the boom horse of the year ESPIONA (Extreme Choice – Dahooil) and four Gr 1 winners as well as a slew of Gr 1 placegetters.
But none of that bothers the 30-year-old rider who has never been at this level before.
“This will be my very first Gr 1 ride and I’m pretty excited by it all,” he said.
As any jock would be especially when the Bega Cup is your current highlight reel.
“I did win in town on Room Number a few months back and then she backed up next start and stormed home to win the Bega Cup for me. They are my biggest moments to date as a jockey.”
The day Room Number won at Randwick she was $81 and Krogh brought her down the centre of the track with a perfectly timed run. He got noticed that day and clearly trainer Anthony Cummings didn’t forget the talented horseman.
There is a lot of pace in this race but given she steps from gate 7, Krogh should be able to find a spot back off the speed in about 4th or 5th spot, maybe even in the coveted one, one trail.
It is a fairytale to even get a ride in a Gr 1, especially when you ply your trade on the country tracks, but to win would be movie-making stuff for the bush-based-boy.
We wish hime all the very best.
