Murray out to build on century of wins

[Wandering Eyes]

Canterbury jockey Brett Murray will be out to continue his winning run at Riccarton on Thursday after riding home his 100^th winner at Oamaru last Friday.

The 30-year-old hoop went into the North Otago meeting on 98 wins and came within one of the coveted milestone when riding home Quartz Queen (NZ) (Belardo) to victory in the Oamaru Scaffolding (1200m).

“I was very confident about Quartz Queen of Kelly Shearing’s because she went well over National Week in a much stronger race,” Murray said. “She is a front-runner and Oamaru suits the ones that get on speed.”

While he was confident of that result heading into the meeting, he was more hopeful when hopping aboard Uraskyfullastars (NZ) (Tarzino) in the Happy 40^th Ryan “The Champ” Gardiner (1600m).

After sitting three back on the fence, Murray took the shortest way home down the straight, hitting the front with 200m to go and the Sarah Dring-trained mare was able to hold out Morus to win by half a length, giving Murray his century of wins in the process.

“Uraskyfullastars was a bit of a surprise because her form was on really heavy footing and it dried up a bit,” Murray said. “She went well.”

Murray was duly rapt to achieve the 100-win milestone, but said he could have reached it sooner had he been more disciplined in his youth.

“I probably should have got it a long time ago, but I was a bit of a clown as an apprentice,” he said.

Racing has always been in Murray’s blood, and he was set on a career in the saddle from an early age, commencing his career in the Central Districts before moving to the South Island a decade ago, a decision he hasn’t regretted.

“I was brought up up north,” he said. “My father was a jumps jockey years ago and I always wanted to be a jockey since I was a little kid. I started my apprenticeship with Mike Breslin.

“I made the move down south in 2017 or 2018. There were more opportunities and I enjoy the lifestyle down here. I went to a two-day meeting at Blenheim and loved it, so I decided to move down.”

Of Murray’s century of wins, two victories stand out above the rest.

“Winning the Hazlett Stakes (Listed, 1200m) on The Precious One was my first stakes victory, and that’s been one of my favourite moments,” Murray said. “She was a good horse.

“William Wallace won the Timaru Cup (Listed, 1600m) and he was another good horse back in his time.”

Murray is hoping he can continue his winning momentum into Riccarton’s synthetic meeting on Thursday where he has a quartet of rides for local trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman, and rates in-form gelding Proserve (NZ) (Proisir) as his best chance in the Cup Week Tickets On Sale – 1 September Rating 75 (2200m).

“I have been doing a little bit of work for the Pitmans on gallop days and they have given me a few nice rides on Thursday,” he said. “I am really looking forward to riding Proserve, he is going super and will be my best chance.”

Buoyed by his purple patch of form, Murray said he is enjoying riding and is hopeful of a solid season.

“I want to be in the top five South Island riders this season if I can keep my weight under control and stay dedicated,” he said. “I feel like I am really in the zone at the moment.”

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