By Ray Hickson
Jockey Andrew Adkins says there’s no reason to fear the outside barrier on outstanding mare Daysee Doom in the Group 1 $1m Coolmore Legacy (1600m) at Royal Randwick tomorrow.
In an ideal world Adkins would prefer not to jump from barrier 17 but is hoping to mirror his winning ride on the five-year-old from last month’s Coolmore Classic where he had to contend with gate 14 of 17.
Daysee Doom is considered suspect at a mile though she has only had the two attempts – and drawn the outside barrier in both of those as well – for a 12th in the Myer Classic in the spring and a close second to stablemate Dixie Blossoms in last year’s Coolmore Legacy.
“I think I’ll probably be outside the leader again, if I can slot in one-one that’d be better,’’ Adkins said.
“She should be in the first four somewhere, you’ve got that nice run down the back straight which is ideal from that barrier.
“Going to the mile we’ll have to give her that little bit of an easier run. It’s a shame we’ve drawn wide because I’d like to park her away a little bit.
“But you can’t be too far back on her because she can’t pick up and sprint like some of the others.’’
In the Coolmore Classic, Adkins had Daysee Doom sitting outside the leader but last start in the Emancipation Stakes she was left in front and was unable to quicken.
Punters Intel revealed Daysee Doom ran her last 600m there in 33.88, which was actually the slowest of the seven runners, and only 1.7 lengths covered the field in the sit and sprint affair.
Adkins said the mare, $9 with TAB, needs something to follow which is why replicating the Coolmore is Plan A.
“The best thing with her is she can bounce from a wide gate and run at a high cruising speed,’’ he said.
“She’s better running off something, have something there to run past and once she does that she keeps going.’’
The 20-year-old has been preparing for The Championships by teaming up with personal trainer Trent Langlands, who also works with the likes of Hugh Bowman and Kerrin McEvoy.
He said balance work is particularly important for a jockey and has been relishing the work over the past few weeks.
“It’s a good workout but it doesn’t bust you. You can feel it helping you and it’s different to just going to the gym and lifting weights,’’ Adkins said.
Adkins will need plenty of poise and fitness to partner Sir Charles Road in the Group 1 $2m Schweppes Sydney Cup (3200m), his first ride in the time-honoured race.
Can’t wait to watch young gun Jockey .@AndrewAdkins103 in the Championships tomorrow with genuine grpup 1 chances pic.twitter.com/42M0j9k7zh
— trent langlands (@trentlanglands) April 12, 2018
“It’s not putting weight on you but helping with fitness and balance and that’s exactly what we need.’’
Sir Charles Road is on the back up after winning last week’s Chairman’s Handicap (2600m) and is out to be the ninth horse to complete the double, with The Offer in 2014 the latest.
“The 50kg brings him in with a massive chance. He’s an out and out stayer and ran huge in the Auckland Cup over 3200m,’’ Adkins said.
“It was a great win last start. He really ran through the line which is what I liked.
“From barrier four I’ll be able to have the run of the race.
“As long as he settles well that’s the main thing, he can get on the chewy a little bit, and if they roll along at a good tempo he’ll be looking for something to do at the 600m.’’
The four-year-old is the $6.50 second favourite with TAB behind 2016 Melbourne Cup winner Almandin ($4.20).
Check out the fields, form and replays for Day 2 of The Championships at Royal Randwick.