Jordan Childs is looking forward to renewing his association with Goldman (NZ) (Verdi) ahead of his pipe opener at The Valley in the Group 2 Feehan Stakes this weekend.
With White Marlin (Mastercraftsman) out for the spring, Childs is pinning his hopes of a strong Melbourne Cup mount on the current second favourite.
“I could probably do 53.3 or 54 (kilograms),” Childs said of his riding weight.
“I obviously have done that on Surprise Baby a few years ago, 54 would be about my bottom.
“He would probably have to win a few races on the way through to get my weight.”
Childs partnered the lightly raced stayer of just seven starts at Flemington in trackwork last week and again at The Valley on Tuesday.
“I think he will run well,” Childs said.
“Obviously we will try and be as close to the speed as we can.
“There are a few other horses that are going to the race that are going to be in the same boat being first-up and being one of Gai (Waterhouse) and Adrian’s (Bott) you know they are pretty fit and ready to go.”
The Roy Higgins winner is undefeated in three runs since arriving from New Zealand, rising rapidly from Benchmark 64 to Listed company in three runs in his previous campaign.
“He has gone through the grades and we keep raising the bar with him and he keeps stepping up to the plate,” Childs said.
“He has the ability to be able to sustain a gallop.
“He was able to go straight to the front, bowl along at a nice tempo and how strong he was right through the line.
“He has a big set of lungs on him and a really big stride and that holds him in good stead.”
Goldman is $9 in early markets for the Feehan Stakes.
