FORMER Victorian jockey Mark Riley will make his Tasmanian debut as a trainer tomorrow night when he saddles up his talented sprinter Gold In Dubai in the $90,000 Newmarket Handicap over 1200 metres in Launceston.
Riley rode in Tasmania but he has been training successfully for many years in Victoria. This is the first time he has ventured across Bass Strait as a trainer.
Gold In Dubai has drawn ideally in gate three as he has early speed, which will give jockey Brad Rawiller an opportunity to have the gelding well placed early in the race.
The gelded son of Desert Sun won two starts back in South Australia and while he failed at his subsequent and most recent outing in Victoria his trainer is adamant the horse is the one to beat.
“We got a local’s barrier draw (3) so provided the horse travels well on the boat tonight (Tuesday) I expect him to be the horse to beat,” Riley said from Melbourne yesterday.
“We were going to run him at Sandown last Saturday in the Kevin Heffernan Handicap but when the rain came the Newmarket became the best option.”
“I gave him a freshen-up after his last start at Caulfield and his recent trial was enormous.”
“If he takes his South Australian form into this race he just wins,” Riley said.
Gold In Dubai is the only interstate horse to accept for the race that boasts Tasmania’s best sprinters.
Too Many Reds, prepared by Charlie Goggin, is unbeaten from three starts this preparation and looms as the best of the local contingent.
Obstinado, Secdolrue, Western Wager and Lucidly have all drawn wide barriers but they warrant respect in what promises to be one of the best Newmarkets on record.