Jockey quandary for Footes

[Wandering Eyes]

Cambridge trainer Ben Foote. Photo: Trish Dunell

Cambridge trainers Ben and Ryan Foote will take three fillies south to Trentham on Saturday to contest the Group 3 Eulogy Stakes (1600m), but their biggest quandary is trying to find enough jockeys.

With meetings also at Ascot Park and Te Rapa on Saturday, Ben Foote said securing riders for their mounts has become increasingly difficult.

“We have three fillies going to the Eulogy, but I have only got one jockey at this stage, Foote said.

“There are three meetings on the same day, so we are really going to struggle for riders. It’s the same every year on this day with the three meetings and it just makes it so hard.”

While his jockey search continues, Foote couldn’t be happier with Charmer, Chica Mojito and New Millennium ahead of Saturday.

Charmer has finished runner-up in all four of her starts this season, including the Group 3 Wellington Stakes (1600m) at Otaki last month, and Foote is hoping she can shed that bridesmaids tag this weekend.

“Charmer ran second behind that smart one (Zabmanzor) of Roger’s (James, trainer) at Otaki last start in that Group Three. She hit the line strong and has got to be a good chance on Saturday,” he said.

Chica Mojito also takes stakes form into the race, having finished seventh in the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton last month.

“Chica Mojito went super in the One Thousand Guineas, but I think the bad draw stopped her from running in the top three. She is a pretty decent horse,” Foote said.

The Windsor Park Stud-bred and raced New Millennium will round out the stable’s trio, and heads into Saturday in winning form.

“New Millennium is a big, strong horse that won well last start at New Plymouth, so she deserves her chance,” Foote said.

“They are three nice fillies going forward.”

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