Racing: Trackwork, trials and a game of squash all part of Fallon's day

MELBOURNE - Irish jockey Kieren Fallon could hardly have demonstrated his commitment more than with the programme he set himself in Melbourne yesterday.

Having risen around dawn in his hotel suite, Fallon was at the Sandown racetrack at 7am to ride Melbourne Cup hope Yeats in training.

After a quickish spin around the racetrack he showered, summoned the chauffeur and made tracks for Cranbourne, where he rode at a trials meeting "just to keep my hand in".

Fallon then made the trip across town to Moonee Valley to walk the track in preparation for his ride today on Aqua D'Amore in the A$3 million ($3.5 million) Cox Plate.

Then he put the word out that he was looking for a decent partner for a game of squash.

Fallon, who is banned from riding in England after being charged with fraud in connection with alleged race fixing, is sometimes thought of as a wayward genius.

But in Melbourne he has been the model jockey.

He has put the Irish-trained Yeats through his paces each morning, providing bulletins on his progress.

Yesterday's was a simple one. "I'm just keeping him sweet," he said." He's going beautifully."

The opinion was shared by his opposition, who again put aside their morning chores to watch him gallop.

"He's some horse," said Jamie Poulton, the trainer of Melbourne Cup hope Land 'N Stars.

Yeats is the $6 second favourite for the Melbourne Cup with bookmaker Michael Eskander, with Caulfield Cup winner Tawqeet the favourite at $4.80.

* Grant Cooksley has been offered the Melbourne Cup ride on Auckland stayer Mandela - provided he is confident of making the weight of 51kg.

The veteran jockey was this week given first refusal for the mount in the November 7 race by trainer Richard Yuill after Mandela stormed into cup contention with victory in the Geelong Cup (2400m) on Wednesday.

Craig Williams rode Mandela to victory at Geelong but Yuill said Cooksley, a regular rider for his Takanini stable, was his first choice.

- NZPA, AAP