By MIKE DILLON
Yesterday Lance O'Sullivan had a pocket full of money, wonderful memories of the World Jockeys' Series in Japan, and no wins to show for it.
Today he wants group one glory in the Avondale Cup.
Late yesterday O'Sullivan arrived back from Japan where he finished ninth in the Jockeys' Series, an extremely lucrative exercise even if you finish last.
The series was won by Frenchman Olivier Peslier from Yutake Take, Hong Kong-based Robert Fradd and American Jerry Bailey.
"It was just a great experience," said O'Sullivan.
"The best horse I drew to ride was sixth favourite and I had a third.
"Going into the last race I was in sixth place of the 14 jockeys, but my horse ran ninth."
O'Sullivan was stunned when he was paid a $1800 losing riding fee for a catch ride he picked up in a group one 2-year-old event outside the series.
"The more important the race, the higher the riding fee. The longer the race the more you get as well."
O'Sullivan was not too disappointed when he realised the world's greatest jockey, Frankie Dettori, finished in the last two or three spots in the competition.
Early this evening O'Sullivan will be looking to capture the $150,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Avondale Cup on No Alimony.
His total attention is taken up worrying about a nagging No17 barrier draw.
"If I can get her in and get cover from that draw she has to be a big chance," he said.
Even allowing that the opposition at Tauranga was not up to the strength of the Avondale field, No Alimony unleashed the most impressive finishing sprint of any open handicapper in the past month when she won in the Bay of Plenty last start.
King Keitel is the one they have to beat. There is no more improved horse anywhere and a combination of his ability to stay handy, his No3 barrier draw and his finishing sprint make him ideal for an Avondale Cup.
Trainer Paul Jenkins aimed to have King Keitel at peak for this race and managed to pick up the $100,000 Counties Cup on the way through.
So Lets will almost certainly become the quickest improver of all time to take the Avondale Cup if she can back up on her stylish Ellerslie win on Saturday.
She has only 52kg, but as the winner of only three races she is not enormously well off in the weights.
What she does have though is class.
Her win on Saturday left little doubt she can successfully step up two or three grades and her finishing burst could see her swamping the leaders in the closing stages.
Bexley, Kaapeon, Magic Winner and Bluebird The Word are all winning chances in a race where luck is generally the determining factor.
Racing: Cup victory aim after riding high in Japan
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