Fresh from riding a treble on Cranbourne Cup Day, jockey Beau Mertens will be looking to convert that momentum into another feature race victory at Caulfield.
Mertens captured the Cranbourne Cup aboard Sabaj for the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr team last Saturday, and this weekend he is likely to partner Kovalica in the Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) at Caulfield.
The Chris Waller-trained Kovalica was taken to Caulfield on Tuesday morning to familiarise himself with the course ahead of Saturday’s assignment.
“He worked nice this morning,” Mertens said.
“He worked over 1400 (metres), a nice last two (furlongs, 400m) on the bridle. I gave him a little squeeze up at the top of the straight and I thought he went nicely under hand through the line.
“He seemed to get around Caulfield alright, and he seems in good form.
“I’m looking forward to Saturday.”
Mertens revealed that the Waller camp had pencilled him in for two possible mounts in the Zipping Classic, but after Tuesday’s hit-out he expects to be legged aboard Kovalica.
“I hope it’s him because he seems to be going pretty well,” Mertens said.
While he is not a regular fixture for the powerhouse Waller yard, Mertens is always happy to lend his services when required.
He teamed up with River Of Stars to finish second in the Caulfield Cup and then fourth in the Melbourne Cup during the spring majors, further enhancing the association.
“I’ve had a bit of luck with him,” Mertens said.
“I don’t do a lot for him, but I’ll come in a do some gallops.
“I’ll always be there for him, and he supported me with rides in the Melbourne and Caulfield Cup this year and I’ve had some success for him.
“Having three winners on Saturday didn’t do any harm and he’s got a lot of horses here and in Sydney and any time that you do get on they’re usually good horses well prepared and can head to a race and win.
“It’s a good stable to be a part of.”
Mertens added that a recent purple patch in the saddle, with seven winners in the space of a week, had him riding with renewed confidence.
He said the Cranbourne treble in particular was a special milestone.
“It was very big.,” Mertens said.
“A city treble, albeit at Cranbourne, it’s still on the board.
“To win a race like the Cranbourne Cup, I grew up there during my apprenticeship with Michael Kent and to ride it for Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, it was fantastic.
“They’ve been big supporters of mine throughout my career and it does a lot for the confidence as well and hopefully we can build on that and keep going strong for the rest of the year.”
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