Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Jye McNeil is hoping a timely stakes double at Flemington will boost his opportunities this spring.
McNeil claimed the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) aboard Right To Party just hours after guiding debutant Tremonti to victory in the Listed Maribyrnong Trial Stakes (1000m), bringing his stakes tally for 2024 to nine.
“It was great to get a stakes double on Saturday, especially for stables I’ve been doing a bit of work for,” McNeil told Racing.com.
“It’s cut-throat, and you’ve got to be in form to get the right amount of rides.
“The past only takes you so far; you have to be in form, and clearly I was on Saturday, so hopefully I can maintain that.”
McNeil is set to ride Young Werther for trainer Danny O’Brien in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) later this month, with the gelding carrying 52.5 kilograms and rated a $17 chance with horse racing bookmakers after his fifth-place finish behind Via Sistina in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m).
“I’ll keep working hard and focus on my weight over the next month, with the weights being so light for the Cups,” McNeil added.
“Hopefully he (Young Werther) can strike a firmer track at Caulfield, and I’m sure with 52.5 kilograms and a good draw, he can be thereabouts.”
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