Zac Wadick hasn’t had much time to get his head around the fact he will become a group 1 jockey when he jumps aboard Future History in Saturday’s Metropolitan at Randwick.
The 21-year-old apprentice is more concerned with shedding two kilograms in just four days after picking up the plum ride on Tuesday.
Apprentice Zac Wadick gets his chance on the big stage after picking up the ride on Future History in The Metropolitan.Credit: Getty Images
Wadick’s work behind the scenes earned him the opportunity for Ciaron Maher on a $10 chance that will love the 2400m staying test at Randwick.
“I didn’t even think twice about when my manager Jeff [Lloyd] rang and asked if I want him to put my name forward for the ride at 51.5 kilograms. He rang back 10 minutes later and said, ‘You’re on it’,” Wadick said.
“I ride 53 every week and I have ridden 52 kilos for Ciaron before, so 51.5 is a challenge – but it’s one I’m willing to take to ride in a group 1 on such a good stayer.”
Wadick has been a regular at Maher’s Bong Bong Farm at Bowral and has had some success for the trainer among his 126 winners since he started riding in 2021.
When Maher made a late decision to send Future History to Sydney for the group 1, he found a lot of the lightweight riders already taken.
Wadick was delighted to get the chance, and quickly pointed out Future History won last year’s Bart Cummings and was third in the Geelong Cup before a midfield finish in the Melbourne Cup when extended out in trip.
He has been beaten in photo-finishes in the Heatherlie Handicap and Naturalism Stakes at two runs this spring, and appears to be ready for the 2400m.
“He has been in good form,” Wadick said. “He was second in the Naturalism last start. He won the Bart Cummings on this day last year, so he is a quality stayer that gets in on very light weight.
“I just had to take this opportunity because he is looking for the 2400m and now we have drawn the perfect gate [in three]. It’s a pretty good first group 1 ride.”
Future History hugs the fence and proves too strong in the Bart Cummings last year.Credit: Getty
Wadick has his manager Lloyd, mentor Corey Brown and Tyler Schiller in his corner as he looks to drop the weight the right.
“I’m trying to take some weight off each day. I have had a chat to Tyler [Schiller] who got down to that ridiculous 49 kilos in the Doncaster on Celestial Legend and got the win,” Wadick said.
“I’m going to busy riding at Kembla and in the barrier trials at Rosehill, so that will help and I’ll try to get as close to the weight as possible before sweating, so I have my strength – talking to Tyler and Corey Brown that’s the best way to do it.
“I have two rides before the Metropolitan and I ’m confident I can get down to 51.5 because I don’t want to give our advantage away.”
Think About It’s last chance to clinch Everest slot
Joe Pride has held strong with his preparation for defending Everest champion Think About It, insisting it is “the best way” for the six-year-old to join Redzel as a dual winner.
But Pride knows, frustratingly, that Saturday’s Premiere Stakes will decide if he gets a slot in the $20 million race in a fortnight’s time.
Ten of the 12 slots are filled after 2022 winner Giga Kick’s owner Jonathan Munz bought the ATC slot on Thursday.
Think About It has never been beaten at 1200m in five starts, including winning the Premier Stakes and The Everest at Randwick last year. But an autumn campaign where Think About It was tested at the mile seems to have spooked slot-holders from backing in the defending champion.
Think About It drives to the front on his way to victory in The Everest last year.Credit: Getty
“It is the best way to get him to the Everest, through the Premiere Stakes,” Pride said. “I’m sure after it, it will be an easy decision for someone to put him in
“He looks outstanding and all his work indicates that he might be even better this preparation. He is a lean, athletic horse that is ready to go on the weekend.”
Think About It goes into the Premiere as a $4 chance, behind Giga Kick ($2.60) and Bella Nipotina ($2.90).
Giga Kick’s trainer Clayton Douglas is confident he has him peaking for Saturday. The five-year-old returned from a 12-month injury lay-off by running fifth in the Concorde Stakes when friendless in betting but was impressive winning a Canterbury barrier trial last week.
“He has just kept improving, and our goal was to get back to the Everest,” Douglas said. “He needed a bit of racing to get back to where he was, but he looks like he is nearly there.
“He got beaten about three lengths first-up, but I think we have found the improvement in the horse to make that up, and I think the horse will do all the talking for me on Saturday.”
