It didn’t take a lot to entice champion Irish jockey Ruby Walsh to Australia and he played his part with victory on Bashboy in the Grand National Steeplechase at Ballarat.
With regular rider Steve Pateman sidelined through suspension, Walsh made the journey from Ireland to take the ride on the 12-year-old.
The professionalism of Walsh was evident when he arrived by helicopter two hours before the opening race on Sunday to walk the track.
After finishing out of a place aboard Arch Fire in his opening ride in a hurdle race, Walsh had Bashboy up stalking the speed throughout over Sunday’s 4500m journey.
Walsh said Pateman played just as big a part as he did in the success of Bashboy.
“Steve spoke to me before the race and he was fairly adamant that he should go forward in the ground and with the weight,” Walsh said.
“They were Steve Pateman’s tactics, not mine, and I was happy with that.”
Walsh said he was over the moon to get the opportunity to come to Australia for his brief visit which ends with a return trip home on Monday.
He said did not often get the opportunity to ride abroad.
“As a jumps jockey you don’t get a lot of opportunities to ply your trade abroad,” Walsh said.
“I’m over the moon that I was asked to come, even happier that I won and I’m glad I didn’t fall off at the back of the second last.”
“I rode in Tokyo and won twice and I’ve ridden here twice and won.”
Walsh said Bashboy would be competitive in the UK and track like Sandown, which has a lot of obstacles, ideal.
He added Bashboy did not feel like a 12-year-old and said an Australian rule precluding 13-year-olds from racing was a pity.
“He’s 12, but he doesn’t ride like a 12 year-old,” Walsh said.
“There’s so much energy there and he’s such a good jumper and I think it’s a pity that the rules are going to stop him running as a 13-year-old.
“I think that’s wrong and it needs to be looked at
“He’s a gem and has loads of running left in those legs.”
