SEVEN years since his maiden Group 1 win in the Caulfield Cup aboard Master O’Reilly, Victorian jockey Vlad Duric will watch this year’s feature from the mounting yard at Morphettville.
But it’s for good reason.
Duric will continue his affinity with Adelaide — and Group 1 Goodwood winner Flamberge — in Saturday’s $100,000 Durbridge Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville.
Duric has claimed two of his six Group 1 wins in Adelaide, while the Peter Moody-trained Flamberge is searching for his first win since winning the Goodwood in Adelaide back in May.
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READ NOW“When the race was a bit light-on, Pete (Moody) spoke to me on Tuesday morning and asked me what I had on and what other rides I had,’’ Duric said.
“I only had one other ride at Caulfield so decided to do a switch and come to Adelaide.”
Duric said Flamberge deserved his short quote as a $1.25 chance given the depth of his Adelaide rivals.
“At weight-for-age, the only possible danger in my eyes is Riziz,’’ he said.
“He’s a very good horse. It looks like a bit of a race in two and should be a good contest.’’
Duric said Flamberge was run off his feet over the 1000m last time behind Buffering in the Group 1 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley and would settle a lot closer to the speed over the 1200m.
“He got back over the 1000m the other day in what was a very hot race, but he closed really well,’’ he said.
“He’s a very good gate horse. He’s a horse who you can let flow and I expect him to be racing in the first two or three and out of trouble.
“It will come down to which old warrior does the best at the end.’’
While Duric will watch the Caulfield Cup action from afar, he’s looking forward to being in the think of the Group 1 action in Melbourne next weekend when he rides giant-killer Mourinho in the $3 million Cox Plate at Moonee Valley.
“He’s going really well the horse,’’ he said.
“He seems to be holding his form really well and he goes into the race fresh.
“The barrier will be important. The Cox Plate is the best of the best and we’re there with a fit horse in-form.’’