By Craig Kerry
English jockey Harry Davies concedes it’s taken time to adjust to Australian racing. With that in mind, he’s thankful to stewards for their understanding over the past two Saturdays at Randwick.
But the 20-year-old feels he is coming to grips with the differences Down Under, and he’s ready to turn that into a first winner on Saturday at Randwick.
Harry Davies preparing to ride for the first time in Australia, on Claim The Crown at Randwick on December 14.Credit: Getty Images
Davies joined close friend and fellow England-based hoop Billy Loughnane in Sydney two weeks ago. Both are riding for the first time in Australia and are staying with Godolphin assistant trainer Victoria “Dizzy” Appleby.
Loughnane, 18, arrived a week earlier than Davies and already has three winners, including a breakthrough city victory on Captain Amelia last Saturday at Randwick for main supporters John O’Shea and Tom Charlton.
“He rode a winner the other day, but he explained that you’ve got to give it time over here because not many people really know us,” Davies said.
“As soon as that first winner comes, and I can have my name in the paper, the better. Hopefully, then I can pick up a bit of momentum.”
Billy Loughnane after riding Captain Amelia to victory at Randwick last Saturday.Credit: Getty Images
Davies, who has linked with the Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald stable, has had just 10 rides and admits it’s been a challenging transition. He escaped with a reprimand for careless riding at his first meeting, at Randwick on December 14, and was then reminded by stewards about the different whip rules here last Saturday.
“It’s obviously very different to the UK, but I’m slowing adapting,” said Davies, who had 60, 51 and 67 winners at home the past three seasons.
“Here you are allowed five slaps before the 100, then it’s pretty much up to you what you want to do. Back home we’re allowed six the whole race, so it’s more lenient here. That’s something we can use to our advantage. Being a British jockey, you are used to spacing your smacks out and really riding the horse with your body more.
“If you can implement that with the advantage of being able to use your stick a bit more here, I’d like to think you would be effective in the saddle.
“The way the races are ridden is definitely different here. It’s pretty evident once the horses enter the straight they tend to race in lanes. Everyone gets their position, they fan out and everyone goes for their run.”
Davies has five rides on Saturday, including Anavinci and Claim The Crown for Neasham and Archibald. Anavinci ($8 Sportsbet) has not raced since winning the Gosford Guineas two years ago. Davies was fourth on Claim The Crown last start.
“He obviously hasn’t run for a while, and he’s been trialling OK,” he said of Anavinci.
“He’s got the blinkers on for the first time, so I go in there with a bit of an open book. He looks a nice horse with good form from a while ago. If he retains that class, he should be competitive in that grade.
“I really like Claim The Crown. He ran a nice race the other day. He’s stepping up in trip, which I believe will only be an aid for him. As long as he relaxes and I can get a nice position, I’m sure he will be coming home good.”
He also rides Smashing Time ($7) for Robert and Luke Price.
“He looks a horse that needs things to go a certain way, but he’s got a nice draw,” he said.
“He’s been a bit unlucky with gates in the past, but he always comes home.”
His other mounts are Godolphin’s Philatelic in the two-year-old race and Destructive Diva in the Highway Handicap. Both were $35.
