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By Ray Hickson

You never know when going that extra mile will pay off for you and apprentice Zac Wadick can attest to that as he prepares for his first Group 1 ride at Randwick on Saturday.

Zac Wadick has his first Group 1 ride on Saturday (Pic: Bradley Photos).

The 21-year-old partners $8 third favourite Future History for Ciaron Maher in the $750,000 James Squire Metropolitan (2400m) so it’s not just a ride he’s been handed but a realistic chance to win the race.

Wadick said the opportunity came about from a mix of a bit of speculation from his manager Jeff Lloyd and putting in the time to travel to Maher’s Bong Bong facility to ride work.

“I was hoping at this time of year when you get these handicap races and a lot of horses get light weights there might be an opportunity for me to ride something,’’ he said.

“I wasn’t expecting to get on one and definitely not one like the horse I ended up nabbing.

“Jeff, my manager, wanted to throw my name in the ring to ride the horse for Ciaron Maher at 51.5kg and I thought we’d see if we can get on the horse first then I'll worry about the weight later.

“He rang me back 10 minutes later and said I was on it.

“I’d done a bit of work for the Maher stable, going to Bong Bong to ride for them, and he said that had a little bit to do with it.

“The Bong Bong Farm is a state of the art facility, I really enjoy going there and riding a few horses and they’ve repaid me really well and I’m grateful for the opportunity.”

Future History’s last win was this weekend a year ago when he took out The Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington but he’s put the writing on the wall with two placings at Caulfield in the lead up to The Metropolitan.

Wadick said given he rides at 53kg every week and has previously got down to 52kg he’s confident that extra half a kilogram won’t be an issue, especially with the added motivation being on one of the major contenders.

“It’s something I’m ready for and for a Group 1 one I’m willing to ride that weight every day of the week,” he said.

“And I’m on the right horse, it’s going to keep me motivated to work hard and get the weight down safely.

“He’s proven over the distance and further but for this preparation he’s crying out for that 2400m and he gets it third-up.

“He drew extremely well and I think he’s going to take some beating, he’s a really good chance.

“The draw has given me all the confidence, I don’t feel worried about how I’m going to ride the horse. It’s opened the door to put the horse in a really good spot.”

He's ridden in five stakes races so far up to Group 3 level but any jockey’s first Group 1 ride is a big deal, regardless of whether they are a $5 chance or a $50 chance.

As far as keeping a level head goes, Wadick said he has more than enough to focus on between now and Saturday to not let the occasion get to him.

“I found out (Tuesday) and I don’t feel any different,’’ he said.

“The weight is going to take up most of my energy, I don’t think I’m going to have time to sit back and think about having my first ride in a Group 1.

“It’s going to be about making sure I know what I’m out there to do and to get my body and mind ready for the big day.”

What a finish in the MRC Foundation Cup!

Positivity books her ticket into the Caulfield Cup! 🏆@ForsmanAndrew @HTCoffey pic.twitter.com/YnpRPsdhCV

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) September 21, 2024

Future History runs second at Caulfield. Video: 7HorseRacing

The ride on Future History caps a quick rise for Wadick, who only rode his first city winner last December and moved into the Brad Widdup stable at the end of that month.

That tally is now 10 with four in this season and, like most apprentices, he has designs on that champion apprentice crown at the end of 2024/25.

“When I moved down we spoke about progressing slowly, then at the right time we make the move to town,’’ he said.

“It’s a hard time of the year to ride winners in town but I’m showing up every day and trying to ride as well as I can.”

All the fields, form and replays for TAB Epsom Day at Randwick on Saturday