YOU couldn't help but feel for Steven King. The one-time leader of the jockeys' room in Melbourne produced a gem of a ride on Gai Waterhouse's galloper Rockwood in Saturday's Toorak Handicap only to be gunned down by Craig Newitt's mount Alamosa.
Another group 1 win for the former New Zealand galloper, which King had tuned to perfection in three lead-up races. Alamosa's trainer Mick Price made it clear King's three weight-for-age rides leading into the Toorak could not be faulted. Connections were just looking to mix things up by switching to Newitt.
It is the plight of a jockey to be axed. It comes with the territory. It is the right of the owner and trainer. The man who trained last year's Caulfield Cup quinella, Danny O'Brien, said as much after Douro Valley, last year's runner-up, steamed into contention for Saturday's rerun with a Yalumba Stakes win at Caulfield.
The Flemington-based O'Brien was spruiking the talents of Douro Valley's jockey, James Winks, this time last year. They combined to win the Winter Stakes with Absolut Glam at the Brisbane winter carnival. It may have been Winks's first group 1, but Saturday's was the first in his home state.
For O'Brien likes to use several jockeys. The ride on his Caulfield Cup winner Master O'Reilly belongs to Vlad Duric. There is champion jockey Damien Oliver and heavyweight Steven Arnold to call upon for trackwork and race rides.
"He [Winks] has been terrific, hasn't missed a morning. He comes in every day to ride work," O'Brien said on Saturday. "There isn't anyone with a mortgage on the rides at our joint. James gets a lot because he puts in a lot and he rides well.
"Steven Arnold does, Damien has been popping in. When things aren't going so well there is not just one bloke to kick."
Jockeys know not to take anything for granted. King has been around long enough to know taking the good with the bad helps ease the pain. No use harbouring a grudge, just get the job done. Especially in this era, when the jockey ranks are swelling in Melbourne with interstate and overseas raiders arriving for the carnival.
And King has the chance to once again take centre stage. He continues the association with Littorio, which steamed into favouritism for Saturday's Caulfield Cup when leaving the likes of Weekend Hussler in its wake in the Turnbull Stakes nine days ago. Littorio has only 52.5kilograms but King shouldn't have any problems. The guy who won the Caulfield-Melbourne cups double back in 1991 on Let's Elope has a farm down south to keep him busy. It is strange how things work out.
Rival jockey Corey Brown was singing the praises of Littorio at the Sydney autumn carnival. Brown was convinced Flemington trainer Nigel Blackiston had an AJC Australian Derby winner on his hands. That Littorio was a cups contender in the spring.
Unfortunately for Brown, a stint riding in Victoria ended when the jockey parted company with trainer Lee Freedman. Brown headed back to the home state and based himself in Sydney. It opened the way for King to take the spring ride on Littorio.
Brown can take solace from the fact he has secured the Caulfield Cup ride on the New Zealander Red Ruler, which was runner-up in the AJC Australian Derby behind another Kiwi in Nom Du Jeu.
Funnily enough, Nom Du Jeu will be ridden by Jeff Lloyd. The one-time South African champ now kicking butt in Sydney couldn't ride Nom Du Jeu in lead-up races in New Zealand, but connections of the stayer have stuck solid. You win some, you lose some. No doubt about that.
cyoung@access.fairfax.com.au
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