3 minute read

Top Northern Rivers jockey Ben Looker is on course for his first Group One win on Victorem in the Kingsford Smith Cup at Eagle Farm.

Top NSW Northern Rivers jockey Ben Looker is looking forward to his first Group One ride after getting through an injury scare in the lead-up to the Kingsford Smith Cup.

Looker, who rides Victorem in Saturday's Group One sprint at Eagle Farm, was sore and sorry after a fall at Moree on Thursday.

He rode his six booked rides at Grafton on Friday with his best result a second.

Looker was the regular rider of Victorem until the Brisbane summer when he was replaced by Dale Smith who won the Lough Neagh Stakes on the gelding.

But Looker was back on Victorem for two trial wins and a first-up second in the Ortensia Stakes at Scone two weeks ago.

Trainer Jenny Graham ,who is based at Port Macquarie, again stuck with Looker in the Kingsford Smith saying he had the key to the gelding.

And Looker is thrilled to have the chance to win an elite race on his favourite horse.

"I am just so happy to be back on him and I would love to repay the connections. It would be a win for the entire region," he said.

Victorem's six wins include the 2018 $500,000 Country Championship final at Randwick.