English jockey George Rooke has enjoyed a breakthrough season in New Zealand, and he has been rewarded for his consistency with a trip to Sydney this week.
The 24-year-old hoop will cross the Tasman to partner the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained She’s A Dealer (Ace High) in the Chalouhi Handicap (1800m) at Randwick on Saturday, with a view to heading towards the Gr.1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Eagle Farm next month.
Rooke has ridden the Rich Hill Stud-bred and raced filly in all three of her starts to date, including two victories over 1400m and a mile at Ellerslie and Te Rapa respectively.
Saturday will be Rooke’s first taste of Australian racing, and he is looking forward to the challenge.
“It’s very exciting to be riding her,” he said.
“This is my first time riding in Australia, so it’s a big ask and I have been trusted, so hopefully we can deliver and it’s a good day. I will walk it (Randwick track) tomorrow (Friday) and see what it’s like.”
The Kiwi raiders are set to be met by heavy track conditions this weekend, with Randwick already rated a Heavy9, with rain forecast in the lead-up to the weekend.
The wet conditions don’t perturb Rooke, who believes his charge will handle them well, and he is confident of a bold showing from barrier seven.
“She won at Ellerslie on a Soft5, and she won quite impressively,” he said. “It will be very Soft ground (on Saturday) and we have got a good draw, so it gives me options, and going further will suit. Everything is in plan for her to run a good race.”
Rooke, who hails from Hampshire in England, is currently in his first season of riding in New Zealand and sits ninth on the national jockeys’ premiership with 55 wins, including victory aboard Dream Of The Moon in the Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton last month.
He is enjoying his time down under and the experiences it has provided him to date, and he is looking forward to adding another this weekend.
“I have been here seven months now and it has been very good to me, I love it,” Rooke said. “I am getting a lot more opportunities and I am riding better horses.
“I am really looking forward to Saturday. This will be my third country I have ridden in – England, New Zealand and Australia.”
While excited about this weekend, Rooke is also looking forward to his riding prospects in his adopted homeland as he heads into the new season.
“There are a lot of very nice two-year-olds, turning three, that I am excited to ride,” he said. “So hopefully, all going well, I could have a good year.”