Nobody would begrudge jockey John Kissick if he saluted on the Danny Williams trained Secateur this Friday in the Wagga Gold Cup (2000m).
The 24 year old, who sits in the top 20 of the New South Wales Jockey Premiership, ran the closest of seconds on Devised in the 2012 and 2013 Wagga Cups, a couple of races that the hoop says is still to this day a bit tough to swallow.
“It was pretty tough both years,” Kissick told Justhorseracing.
“The second year was probably tougher then the first year after coming so close the first year to go down by the barest of margins yet again but the horse went super both years.”
Kissick, like most jockeys, get on with business on the program but it’s when things die down that he reflects and wonders what could have been.
“You have to move on on the day because you have other rides throughout the day that are equally as important.”
“But you do go home and it starts to sink in and you go back and watch replays and see what you could improve on.”
Moving onto 2016, and Kissick will steer Secateur, an import from Europe who is having his third start down under and is rated a $31 chance with Sportsbet to take out the feature. The jockey is upbeat about the runners prospects and is very thankful that Danny Williams has given him the opportunity.
“I haven’t had anything to do with the horse,” Kissick said.
“I ride a little bit for Mr Williams and have had quite a bit of luck for him over the years, and he even gave me my first city winner.”
“The horse has good form in his two runs in Australia, although he ran last at Kembla Grange he didn’t get beat far in a strong form race. His last run in particular he didn’t get beat far to Murphy’s Delight in good Saturday grade company.”
And his best ride for the Carnival?
“I’m very fortunate enough to have a good book of rides on both days, but I’d have to lean with Oh So Unfair in the Guineas. In saying that, I think all my rides are capable of performing well.”
