Crowley Calls It: “If Winter does not perform, we are bang there to win the race”
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The Champion Jockey and Coral Racing Ambassador previews his rides on day four of the Royal Ascot meeting
My horse put up a career best yesterday in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes, it was a great race. I did not think we went overly fast. My horse came into the race nicely. I thought Johnny Murtagh was a little harsh when he said he thought I got there too soon. To be fair, my horse has won over a mile and a half. It was the first time I had ever ridden him and he just got outstayed.
Even if I had delayed my charge, I still think it would have been the same result. Highland Reel is a phenomenal horse and such a tough nut to crack. It was a great thrill to ride in the race but it was just unfortunate to get so close without winning. I was really pleased for Martin Dwyer who rode Zhui Feng in the Royal Hunt Cup. It is great to see him still doing the business because he is a top guy.
This is a spare ride that I have picked up. She was placed in a Listed race at York last time. She is going to have to step up here though on what she has done so far.
It would be fantastic to ride a winner for Her Majesty at Royal Ascot. This horse is stepping up in trip. He is very lightly raced but he is a progressive horse. He got a little flat-footed in the dip at Newmarket last time out. I am hoping the step up in trip will help but he will need to take improve though to land the spoils. He shouldn’t mind the top of the ground so that won’t be a problem.
I really excited to ride this filly. She was third in the Prix Marcel Boussac as a two year old and then she won the Fred Darling at Newbury. The form got a bit of a boost yesterday as Rain Goddess only just got touched off in the Sandingham yesterday. She is a very good filly and it is great to pick this ride up. Obviously Winter is the one to beat but we saw what happened to Churchill the other day. If Winter doesn’t perform, we are bang there to win the race.
He’s a nice horse but he has sort of lost his way a bit in his last three runs. He works really well at home and he is a fine big scoping horse. He has not got the best of draws as he is in stall 21 but he will have an each-way chance.
I am enjoying the meeting so far but I am little frustrated as I have been knocking on the door. It is a tough place to ride winners. Even when you are riding good things they don’t always come off. You only have to stick the news on for 10 minutes though and your worries in racing go away.
Jim
