Even after a super season in the saddle, New Zealand jockey Ryan Elliot admits he has a bit to learn about Australian racing.
But he thinks he has the right horse to help him overcome that inexperience when Solidify contests the A$1 million JJ Atkins Stakes at Eagle Farm tonight.
New Zealand trainers have a scattered representation on Queensland racing’s biggest day of the season and Elliot will ride two of them, his other mount being Auckland Cup winner Platinum Invador in the A$400,000 Brisbane Cup.
Platinum Invador was one of Elliot’s huge wins this season, with Group 1s on Sharp ‘N’ Smart, Legarto, Pennyweka and Levante, but while that has firmly established him as one of our best jockeys, his visit to Eagle Farm two weeks ago was his first day riding in Australia.
“It is definitely a step up over here,” Elliot told the Weekend Herald from Brisbane. “There are a lot of good riders and the Sydney jockeys are tough and very good at putting you where they want you to be.”