3 minute read

Every jockey trying to make his mark needs a headline horse or a big win to put their name in lights and Robbie Dolan hopes Profondo can be that horse.

The two-time Sydney champion apprentice has arguably his best chance to notch a maiden Group 1 win in Saturday's $1m Moet & Chandon Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on a horse whose value would skyrocket if he was able to get the job done.

Profondo, of course, is a son of Deep Impact who cost $1.9 million dollars as a yearling and he'll tackle the Group 1 at just his third start.

Dolan, 25, said after a steady comeback from an arm injury, that started with Profondo's debut win, his confidence has grown and will take plenty of desire into Saturday's feature.

"Racing is a game of luck, you can work as hard as you want but if you don't have any luck you're not going to get anywhere,'' Robbie Dolan said.

"When you're unlucky you start doubting yourself and the confidence gets down.

"I've always been a jockey with a lot of confidence in my ability and the double the other day (at Warwick Farm) and the way I'm starting to feel physically it's bringing my confidence on.

"I'm very appreciative to be riding this horse and I think he is going to be right there."

Trainer Richard Litt has backed the ability he believes Profondo has by vaulting him from a Kensington maiden win into the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m) at his second start and it's safe to say he measured up.

Unfortunately for Dolan and the horse's connections the colt potentially threw away his winning chance when he ducked in sharply at the 150m when being challenged by Head Of State.

Dolan is a little hard on himself, regarding his decision to change hands with the whip as a mistake so he's keen to make up for it.

"He cruised up to the leaders very well on the bridle and when the other horse came up outside he caught me by surprise,'' he said.

"When I pulled the stick through and asked him to pick up he shied away and probably cost himself the race.

"It happened so fast. It's easy for people at home to judge but when you're out there it happens in the blink of an eye.

"We made that mistake together, I've learned a lot from the horse. It's all a part of racing, thankfully it didn't happen in a Group 1 and hopefully we can go one better."

Profondo, $3.10 favourite with TAB on Wednesday, has drawn slightly awkwardly in barrier 10 but Dolan said it's a plus that the horse is capable of putting himself into a tactical position.

"He has that really nice cruising speed, he travels so strong in the run, once he gets cover he's keen but a nice relaxed keen,'' he said.

"He's not worried about anything. He's still learning his craft and a couple of months down the line you're going to see a more polished horse.

"It'd be nice to knock off a Group 1 when he's not fully there."

Among Dolan's other rides, he's expecting a sharp improvement second-up from Bargain in the Group 3 $160,000 Bentley Angst Stakes (1600m).

While the four-year-old, $26 with TAB, only beat one horse home in the Tibbie Stakes (1400m) at Newcastle last month not many horses made any ground and Dolan said she's often a bit casual when she's fresh.

"I thought she ran well, she only got beaten a few lengths and she always holds back a little bit first-up and needs that run,'' he said.

"Mark (Newnham) is very confident she has improved from the run and her second-up form is pretty good. She's a talented mare and she's been galloping really well at home."