Kranji-based Australian jockey Vlad Duric returned empty-handed from his lightning visit to ride in the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday, but was still glad he was given another opportunity to be one of the 24 jockeys in the iconic race.
The Victorian jockey finished 16th on Excess Knowledge for trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott in the gruelling two-mile race, for a result which was all in all a disappointing effort after his fourth place in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) one week earlier – a race which Duric also specially flew out to partner the UK import.
Duric was not the only Singapore-based Aussie to ride in the Cup as Glen Boss, famous for his three Cup wins with the legendary Makybe Diva, also took his place in the starting gates aboard longshot Grey Lion for Matt Cumani and finished two spots ahead in 14th.
Duric, who returned straight back to Singapore on Tuesday night itself, said the experience of riding in the race that stops a nation was in itself worth the trip, even if he has had five previous rides, all without success.
Excess Knowledge was one of the runners to get an early gig from race caller Greg Miles, though, as he came across his barrier No 21 to find the lead by the first turn. But the last 400m proved too far for the Monsun entire who vanished out of the race as Almandin (Kerrin McEvoy) went on to overpower Heartbreak City (Joao Moreira) at the end of a titanic duel for most of the Flemington straight.
“You’ve got to try your luck when you are offered a ride in the Melbourne Cup. It’s great to be part of the build-up and the big race atmosphere,” said Duric at Kranji on Tuesday.
“Unfortunately, from the wide barrier, he had to do too much work to go forward. Once in front, he travelled okay and at the top of the straight, I even thought he was still a chance, but he then got swallowed up and the race was quickly over for him.
“I’ve ridden in six Melbourne Cups now and my two best results were two fourths with Master O’Reilly (2008 and 2009). I hope I will still get another chance.
“Just to have ridden in it is a privilege. I saw Katelyn Mallyon (Assign, 19th) who was a bundle of nerves before the race as it was her first ride in the Cup.
“I’ve known Katelyn since she was a baby, and I just told her to go and enjoy the race, and I’m sure she did.
“It was also great to catch up with Joao. We had a great rivalry here at Kranji and I wished him well before the race, and he nearly won it.”
Now that the Spring Carnival excitement has settled, Duric can channel all his energy on the remaining nine meetings at Kranji in a bid to bridge the margin of five winners between him and current leader and defending champion Manoel Nunes.
Both jockeys have solid books of rides this weekend, a total of 15 for either all-up between Friday and Sunday.
