3 minute read
Jay Ford is well-placed to make his presence felt at Rosehill on Saturday with the rides on in-form gallopers Revolt, Mrs Onassis and My Destiny.
Jay Ford has never ridden Revolt but caught a glimpse of the in-form galloper's potential at Warwick Farm two weeks ago.
"I rode the runner-up Hard Liquor against him the other day and at the furlong I thought I was every bit the winner," Ford said.
"Then he went past me like I was nailed to the fence. He was pretty impressive and looks like he is going through the grades well so I'm rapt to pick up the ride on him tomorrow with Rod (Quinn) away on holidays."
Ford will have to bide his time early at Rosehill on Saturday with just one ride in the first four races.
But he is well-placed to make his presence felt in the back half of program, including on the progressive Revolt in the Blackwoods SMA Handicap (2000m).
Revolt is chasing his fourth straight victory and is the $3.50 TAB Sportsbet favourite.
Ford rates Mrs Onassis in the Blackwoods Galmet Handicap (1200m) as perhaps his leading chance having ridden the Gerald Ryan-trained mare to back-to-back wins at Hawkesbury and Canterbury.
My Destiny is also shooting for a hat-trick of victories in the Blackwoods One Eleven Handicap (1300m), while in the Listed Festival Stakes (1500m) Ford will reunite with Mentality for the first time in more than two years.
"I was only talking to Michael (co-trainer Michael Hawkes) the other day and he was saying that I'm the last person to win on him (in the Premiere Stakes in 2009)," Ford said.
"I always watch him go around and his runs haven't been too bad. He's third up and is probably ready to produce something."
Mrs Onassis let down strongly under lights at Canterbury last time out and Ford believes the mare is capable of taking another step to Saturday company.
"With a good barrier (two) and the limit weight, I think she can go close again," he said.
Ford believes My Destiny could be a realistic chance if he gets to the Group Two Villiers Stakes (1600m) in two weeks and the gelding is on trial for that race on Saturday.
"The horse is going very well though and the race does look a good race for him," Ford said.
"If we can get a bit of luck from the barrier (18) and get some cover he should still be hard to beat."