Jockey Thomas Stockdale looks to prolong the exhilaration from his debut as a father through high-stakes victory at Flemington.
He joins forces with Simon Zahra-prepared Onavuitton for the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) Saturday, aware of the steep competition among three-year-olds, yet prone to upsets.
Stockdale and Lily, offspring of retired jockey Peter Mertens, greeted baby Ronnie Sunday, the paternal surge undiminished.
“They got home on Tuesday, and I’ve been pretty much running on adrenalin since,” Stockdale said.
Besides new-parent bliss, Saturday demands focus as Stockdale hunts his career pinnacle.
His earlier Gold Coast win on Unit Five in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic pales against potential Group 1 impact post-son’s birth.
At $26, Onavuitton lags Observer ($2.30), Sixties ($2.90), Planet Red ($4.80), though Australian Guineas shocks recall Lunar Fox ($301, 2021), Feroce ($14 winner last year).
Four races for Onavuitton: third in Group 2 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m), Flemington, March last.
Recent Cranbourne maiden success, then fourth to Observer in Caulfield Group 2 Autumn Stakes (1400m), February 7.
“We were happy with his run,” Stockdale said.
“He was a month between runs, and they never sat up in the race. They ran along at a good clip the whole way and Observer, he’s a class horse.
“I thought he did a good job to keep rolling along on the hot speed like he did, especially off the gap between runs.
“He would have benefitted off it, and if you take the top three out and it’s a very even race.
“He always puts his best foot forward and his run in the Sires’ at Flemington was good and I think getting back to the bigger track at Flemington is only going to help him, especially stepping up to the mile.
“It’s a race that can throw up a rough result and Simon’s team is flying, they’re getting result after result and I’m confident they will have him in tip-top order on Saturday.”
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