3 minute read
Jockey Rachel King has a suspicion that unbeaten colt Ozzmosis is the best horse in Saturday’s Listed $200,000 Petaluma Heritage Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill and can’t wait to see if that’s the case.
The Bjorn Baker-trained three-year-old was one of the finds of the winter with runaway wins in both starts back in May and June and Rachel King is well aware of the buzz around the youngster.
Such are the raps on Ozzmosis this spring he's a $26 chance in the TAB Everest, with just two off-season starts to his name, and shares that quote with the likes of $10 million mare Alcohol Free and Group 1 winner Mazu.
"I think he probably is the best horse but they still have to go out and prove it race day,'' King said.
"There is a lot of talk about him, he is doing everything right. He's matured this preparation, mentally and physically.
"I'm really looking forward to it, I've done a lot of work on him and I'm grateful to have the opportunity.
"I'm wanting him to put his hand up, I've no doubt he will but you never know what's going happen on race day."
While King hasn't been on board Ozzmosis on race day until now, she's probably more familiar with the colt than any other jockey given she's unbeaten in three trial wins on him and sent him through his paces in an exhibition gallop recently.
When Ozzmosis last raced he came out on top in a two horse war with Royal Tribute, who was on debut, back on June 10 and they'll clash again in the Heritage with Baker's colt $2.20 favourite on Thursday.
Royal Tribute has recently won a Hawkesbury maiden so has some race fitness on his side but King said the race sets up well for Ozzmosis given he's drawn alongside his rival and should be able to keep him in sight.
"It worked that way last time they met. Looking at it now it looks like it will probably happen again,'' she said.
"That horse has come back in good order but there are other horses in the field that are in good form and hard to beat but I'm very happy with the horse I'm on.
"At home he gives that feeling of a very good horse and he's obviously got to come out and do it again on race day, he hasn't done anything wrong so far so hopefully he can continue on that trend.
"He's an adaptable horse, he has good speed but he is very adaptable in his races. It's nice to link up with him race day and it helps knowing him so well."
Diamond Dealer is King's ride for Baker in the Group 2 $400,000 Racing & Sports Golden Pendant (1400m) and she certainly hopes to have a bit more luck than Ryan Maloney did on the mare in the Tibbie Stakes last week.
She was held up for a run for much of the straight before finishing fourth behind Banana Queen and from barrier one King said she wouldn't be afraid to lead if that's what is required.
"She was super last start, she didn't look like she had a lot of luck at all,'' she said.
"It was a bit of a question mark the 1400m and she didn't get fully tested but she looked like she was full of running and had plenty there.
Unbeaten @BBakerRacing colt Ozzmosis (@RachelK11) cruises past stablemate Dreamflight (@djgibbons22) in a gallop between races at Canterbury. They ran 59.83 for 1000m (34.46 last 600m). Ozzmosis due to resume in next week's Heritage Stakes. @tabcomau pic.twitter.com/CJz5uuaEo7
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) September 13, 2023
"She's got that good natural speed, and she's really improved in the way she races in the last couple of preps. Hopefully she just gets a bit more luck in the straight."
King partners Cross Talk for Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott in the Group 2 $300,000 Ned Whisky Shannon Stakes (1500m) and is expecting a big lift on the gelding's first-up performance.
He could only beat one home in the Theo Marks (1300m) two weeks ago but King said there were excuses and things look to be a bit kinder for him second-up.
"I think he needed the run, he's getting that bit older now and he knocked up a bit late,'' she said.
"Drawing out last time he had to do quite a bit of work, he's got a slightly better draw this time and that will help him.
"I've had a sit on him (Thursday morning) and he looks ready to go again."
