By Craig Kerry
Group 1-winning Irish jockey Ronan Whelan joked that he’d learnt about the importance of “spacial awareness” in Australian racing as he was called into the stewards room on Wednesday at Warwick Farm.
The 32-year-old, two months into his first riding stint in Australia, walked out with a week’s suspension for shifting in aboard Wal’s Me Mate. It looks set to bring a premature end to his stay and put more significance on his biggest – and likely last – opportunity before heading home on Saturday week.
Irish jockey Ronan Whelan.Credit: Getty Images
Whelan, a group 1 winner in Ireland, France and the UAE, partners Athabascan for main supporters John O’Shea and Tom Charlton in the group 3 Parramatta Cup (1900m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
He said riding in Australia “was an itch I needed to scratch” after an earlier trip as a tourist. He has had six wins, including on Junqueira at Canterbury, in 33 rides in NSW.
“I suppose I just came over to see how it went really, find my feet, and wherever that led, that’s where it led,” Whelan said.
“Tom and John couldn’t have been more helpful and them putting me on for a Saturday in the city is a nice feather in my cap and I appreciate the opportunity.
“It’s a good horse, and it’s nice to see your name in the paper in those contests.
“It’s going great, I’m really enjoying it here. Everyone has been more than helpful, from John and Tom, and all the trainers outside of them who have been supporting me.”
Asked if racing in Australia was different to riding at home, he said: “It is and it isn’t. At the end of the day, you have to ride your horse. That’s the most important thing.
“Then tactically, it’s a lot sharper out here, positioning and everything. Then it’s spacial awareness as well, what’s going on around you. That is a big thing here.”
Athabascan, a $34 Sportsbet hope, won the group 3 St Leger Stakes over 2600m at Randwick at his most recent start in October and is first up off two trials.
Premier Sydney trainer Chris Waller will likely have five starters in the Parramatta Cup.
Kinesiology was his shortest-priced runner on Thursday at $11, but Waller was especially excited to see import Zechariah ($27) make his debut in Sydney after three runs in Victoria.
“Zechariah, I really like,” Waller said. “He’s a promising horse. He had a light spring, a late spring, but he is a really talented horse. You’ll see something from him. He’s first up at 1900, but he raced in December so he’s got residual fitness.”
He said Asterix ($23) and Kinesiology were top-three chances, while Manzoice ($23) “was good first up, he’s worked really well and this is his type of race”.
