MATTHEW Neilson will ride at his lightest weight in almost six years when he tries to give Lindsay Park a rare Group 1 Goodwood victory at Morphettville on Saturday.
Australian racing’s most famous family has won the Adelaide sprint feature just once — the late Colin Hayes producing Romantic Son to win in 1971 — and Neilson been working hard to get down to the 53.5kg needed to partner $14 chance Sheidel.
“It’s hard but I’ve had the time to work on it which has been the key,’’ Neilson said.
“I was told mid last week that I was riding her.
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READ NOW“I’ve cut the processed food and sugars and upped the exercise.’’
Neilson, who usually rides at 55kg, said the Group 1 opportunity in his own backyard was worth the extra effort.
“We have four Group 1s. You have to make the most of it when they come around,” he said “Missing out on a little bit of food for a week won’t kill me.’’
The in-form jockey has ridden 21 winners in past 100 rides and was aboard Sheidel when she finished runner-up in the incident-marred UBET (Sangster) Classic, pestered by riderless stablemate Miss Promiscuity before beating home all but Precious Gem.
“We nearly got the bickies last time but obviously it wasn’t meant to be,’’ the jockey said.
“The winner did a great job but I think it cost me a little bit of momentum and we only got beaten by one stride.’’
Neilson said a middle barrier (12) for Sheidel was a huge asset in the Goodwood.
“She’s an on-speed horse which is going to help,’’ he said.
“If she can run up to last start she’s going to be right in the finish.’’
Sheidel is one of five runners in the 19-horse Goodwood for the David Hayes-Tom Dabernig stable.
Adelaide Cup-winning jockey Stephen Baster rides the stable’s second pick in betting Fast ‘N’ Rocking ($18), while Linda Meech replaces Luke Nolen aboard Miss Promiscuity ($31) and Nick Hall rides $21 chance Churchill Dancer.
History is against Dylan Dunn’s quest for the fairytale return to the place where he started his riding career. Dunn’s mount Faatinah ($41) is trying to become the first UBET (Euclase) Stakes winner in the past 30 years to win the Goodwood but Hayes said it would be best not to worry about prices when assessing Lindsay Park’s chances.
“I had a mate who put himself through university backing the outsider of the Hayes horses (in Group races) and made a fortune and my tip would be to go for value,’’ he said.