Racing: Childs fast becoming trainers' 'go to' man

MELBOURNE - Greg Childs is racing's version of baseball's pinch-hitter.

When Australia's leading trainers find their No 1 jockeys are unavailable, the 43-year-old expatriate New Zealand is often their man.

Childs was brilliant in the role on Saturday, winning the Caulfield Cup on Railings for the John Hawkes' stable and the group three Norman Robinson Stakes on the Bart Cummings-trained Pendragon.

Both horses were ridden to precision. Pendragon just lasted in front to beat from Headturner, while Railings got up in the last stride to defeat gallant Japanese raider Eye Popper.

Childs has long been one of Melbourne's top jockeys and his name will forever be associated with the champion Kiwi mare Sunline. But he recently wondered aloud whether he would get any top mounts this spring.

His prayers have been answered, generally through misfortune to other jockeys.

He gained the mount on Feehan Stakes winner Lad Of The Manor through injury to Brian Johns.

Leading into the Norman Robinson, Childs had been riding Headturner for the Hawkes' stable, but was ousted for Saturday's event as the stable favoured its No 1 rider Darren Beadman.

Instead, Childs won the ride on Pendragon in the Norman Robinson, but only because regular rider Glen Boss was suspended.

In the Caulfield Cup, the Hawkes' stable opted for Childs on Railings with Beadman, who rode the Zabeel stayer to win the Metropolitan Handicap earlier this month, committed to Dizelle.

Childs rode Railings to perfection, but there is no guarantee he will ride him in the Melbourne Cup on November 1.

Much will depend on whether Dizelle, a disappointing 12th on Saturday, continues on her cups' trail.

Childs was not only riding well - he was in fine self-promotional form too, throwing out well-broadcast hints to Cummings and Hawkes that he was their man.

"Bart's philosophy has always been to stick with a winning combination so we will see if he can stick to that," he told reporters with a smile.

But Cummings indicated Boss would be back to ride Pendragon in the VRC Derby in a fortnight's time.

As for Railings, Childs said the decision was up to John and Wayne Hawkes, but he noted he did have a strong association with the owners. One of them, Tony Pistikakis, is a neighbour.

"I can only ride them and do the best I can and these horses have been winning," Childs added.

He said he believed in his own ability.

- NZPA