Vlad Duric is set to have his first ride in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) on Friday, partnering with the Donna Stanbridge-trained Secret Sort in the prestigious $3 million event.
The Victorian-born jockey, who spent nearly 15 years in Singapore, returned to Brisbane last year. After dealing with a persistent knee injury, he has recently resumed riding.
“I took three months off with my knee problems,” Duric explained.
“It took a little while to get up to fitness again, to be honest, being that little bit older, and I don’t really want to be having that long off again.
“But in the last couple of weeks, I’ve really tightened up and I’m starting to feel really bouncing and good, which is great.”
Secret Sort broke his maiden at his second start in November, followed by a third-place finish in the Listed Phelan Ready Plate (1110m) and a fourth in the Group 3 BJ McLachlan Stakes (1200m) on December 21, where Duric was in the saddle.
Reflecting on the latter performance, Duric said, “He’s very fast out of the machine. He showed a lot of speed at his first few starts, but they wanted me to ride him from behind the other day.
“He got into that position nicely but then got stuck back on the inside and didn’t get a lot of room in the straight.”
Describing the young colt, Duric added, “He’s a very well-educated, bombproof two-year-old, but he’s just a little on the small side, so that’s the only thing with him.
“But he’s going to make his own luck and be there, and you know he could definitely pick up a fat end of the cheque.”
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