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By Ray Hickson

Jay Ford wasn’t quite sure which horse Chris Waller had in mind when he was asked to ride for the champion trainer in Saturday’s Group 1 $600,000 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill but given he’s occasionally called on to ride light he could only assume it was one of his promising fillies.

Jockey Jay Ford (Pic: Steve Hart)

To his delight the filly in question is the exciting Espiona so Ford has been handed the favourite, $4 with TAB on Thursday, and a plum opportunity to record his 12th career Group 1 success.

It’ll be Espiona’s fifth race start, so she’s giving away experience, but Ford will ride her with just 50kg on her back.

“She’s got a light weight which knocks a lot of people out so I’m looking forward to riding her,’’ Ford said.

“The Waller stable asked me how light I can ride and they have quite a stock of good fillies so I jumped at the chance to be able to ride one of them and it ended up being this one.

“I’ll grab the opportunity with both hands and see what I can do with it.”

Although Espiona has been beaten as favourite in her two starts this time in, after creating a huge impression with dominant wins at her first two outings, there’s no doubt she’s living up to the potential she showed in the spring.

Ford has paid some attention to her and believes the set up is much better than in the Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m) where she drew awkwardly and took a long time to get across heels and produce her sprint before running into third behind stablemate Hinged.

“She’s a high profile horse so I’ve watched her runs since she resumed and she created a big impression last preparation,’’ Ford said.

“She’s only lightly raced but she’s obviously a horse of immense talent. She has a light weight and has drawn a good gate, I’m looking forward to it as she looks like a quality ride.”

Ford is no stranger to teaming with Espiona’s trainer Chris Waller for a Group 1, he partnered Shraaoh to win the 2019 Sydney Cup with 51kg.

Brutality is a horse Ford is a lot more familiar with and he’s confident Joe Pride’s Doncaster Mile bound gelding can at least close the gap on Ellsberg when they clash again in the Group 2 $200,000 Hyland Race Colours Ajax Stakes (1500m).

There was 3.2 lengths between them in the Liverpool City Cup (1300m) two weeks ago but there’s a 2.5kg weight swing in Brutality’s favour.

“I thought he went great the other day, I think he will be improved by that and he’s a superior wet tracker,’’ Ford said.

“Ellsberg controlled it the other day but he closed off really well, that last 200-300m, and he was good through the line.

“Joe had taken the blinkers off for his first-up run so I was tickled pink with the way he went about things.”

Espiona runs third at Randwick on February 26

The blinkers remain off the Villiers Stakes winner and while Ford is confident his mount will improve on what he did first-up he concedes he’s at the mercy of the race shape.

“The biggest thing is the step up to 1500m is going to suit my bloke,’’ he said.

“Brutality is a horse that tends to get back in his races while Ellsberg controls on speed so that’s out of my hands.

“If it’s run at an even tempo or a bit competitive up front that would enhance his chances. He’s drawn a good gate and has a weight turnaround so I can only see him running well again.”

Brutality was a $4.40 chance with TAB on Thursday in the Ajax and $21 in the Doncaster Mile, he’s exempt from ballot in the $3 million race on April 2 and has just 50.5kg.

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Rosehill meeting