Alice Springs jockey Jessie Philpot is looking forward to Sunday’s meeting at Pioneer Park.
With a forecast of heavy rain, the Alice Springs Turf Club decided last Friday to postpone last Sunday’s meeting.
Heavy rain saturated Pioneer Park’s dirt surface during the Alice Springs Cup Carnival in April with the meeting on Saturday, April 15 postponed until Monday, April 17.
So as not to affect the plans of local trainers preparing their horses for the Darwin Cup Carnival and to make sure that it wouldn’t have been a wasted trip for Darwin jockeys last weekend’s meeting was called off.
Drastic, but Central Australia was expecting a dumping.
“We got the call on Friday around lunchtime,” Philpot said.
“Looking at the weather forecast and the rain that we had I think they made the right decision to call it off.
“It was miserable weather – in the end it wasn’t heavy rain, it was continuous for a few days.
“Safer for everyone and they made the call early as well which enabled you to get your plans in order.”
Only five races on Sunday where Philpot will partner four-year-old geldings Quizzle, Kikatorp and Square Cut for trainer Ray Viney, and six-year-old gelding Norse Mythology for trainer Carroll Hunter.
“Three good chances for the Vineys, they’re all working well and in good order,” Philpot said.
“Kickatorp steps up in grade (BM76) over 1100m and looks fantastic, so we’ll see how he goes.
“We’re up against Supreme Attraction, who is in great form and the big danger, especially with Dakota-Lee’s (Gillett) claim which will help him out a lot.
“It’s a small field and a bit of a challenge, but we’ll be happy if he runs a good race.”
Kickatorp has had two NT starts for a second over 1100m (0-66) in April and a win over 1100m (Class 2) last month.
Quizzle has had six Alice starts for two wins and three minor placings, and returns after a let up over 1200m (Class 2) where he has the outside gate in a field of 10.
Square Cut won on debut in Alice over 1000m (0-58) on June 4 and once again takes on 0-58 opposition over 1100m.
“I don’t think the gate will worry Quizzle as there will be a bit of speed in the race and we’ll find a nice spot to slot in to,” Philpot said.
“He always runs home – he’s honest and he’s bouncing out of his skin.
“Square Cut was really good first up and I think he’ll race well.
“He’s got speed, he can put himself right there.”
Norse Mythology won first up in the Alice in April for Darwin trainer Gary Clarke before two disappointing efforts and was placed in his past two starts for the Hunter stable.
He will line up on Sunday in a small field over 1400m (BM76) – it was to be 1600m last weekend.
“I don’t know much about Norse Mythology, I haven’t ridden him before,” Philpot said.
“I thought that coming from a 1400m and going into the mile would have definitely been up his ally.
“He too seems like an honest horse, it’s a pretty even race anyway.”
Philpot, who had strong links with the Greg Connor stable and enjoyed success on Flying Start, the Red Centre’s Horse of the Year for 2022, now works full time for the Ray Viney stable.
“I haven’t cut ties or anything with Greg, but I made a decision and stepped out of Greg’s stable,” she said.
“Apart from working for Ray and Jaidyn Viney, I’m also Jaidyn’s partner.
“Ray and Jaidyn haven’t made plans to go to Darwin for the Carnival, they’re still tossing up the idea.
“We’ve got a lot of horses here in work at the moment and it’s probably a bit hard to get away – maybe next year.”
Having enjoyed spectacular success aboard the Nicole Irwin-trained Highly Decorated during the 2021 Darwin Carnival, which included victory in the Cup, Philpot was saddened when news of the horse’s retirement was confirmed recently.
After injuring his tendon in his near fore leg after winning his first race back in the Top End last year, the six-year-old gelding had extensive treatment and was set to return for the 2023 Darwin Carnival before re-injuring the tendon in his final gallop in South Australia.
“From what I heard from Nicky, things were going good and he was working well,” she said.
“It was probably better happening then than getting half way through a prep or in a race.
“It’s just a shame and I have pleasant memories, but that’s racing and thankfully he’s OK.
“Definitely the best horse I’ve ridden.
“Very special given the fact I won seven races on him in a row in Darwin and Adelaide River, so I don’t think I’ll find many in the future that can do that again.”
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