Talented young jockey Harry Coffey has retained the mount on equal favourite Sopressa in the Group 1 $500,000 Schweppes Oaks (Australasian Oaks) (2000m) at Morphettville on Saturday.
Harry Coffey, above, will ride Sopressa in the 2018 Australasian Oaks at Morphettville. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
Coffey has been aboard the Darren Weir trained Sopressa in two of her last three starts which resulted in two wins in an 1887m Maiden at Kyneton and a last start four and a quarter lengths win in the Group 3 $120,000 Schweppervescence Stakes (1800m) at Morphettville on April 21.
Coffey, who is yet to win a Group 1 race, was very excited when connections decided to stick with him for the Australasian Oaks ahead of some other high profile jockeys associated with the Weir stable.
“I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity that I’ve been provided with,” Coffey told racing.com.
“There would’ve been a lot of quality jockeys trying to get the ride, so hopefully I can get the result and repay the faith that everyone has put in me.”
“I’m nervous and excited at the same time.”
“Thankfully racing at the ‘Bool has been on, so I’ve been busy and it hasn’t really crossed my mind yet.
“Saturday morning is when I’ll harness all of my attention and energy into the race.”
Coffey said that Sopressa had come through her impressive win in the Schweppervescence Stakes in top shape and added that the So You Think filly felt great when he worked her on Monday morning.
“I’m confident going into the race, I worked her on Monday and she’s definitely improved since the last run,” Coffey said.
“She seems to be a horse that keeps lifting to the level that is required and I have faith she’ll do the same again on Saturday.”
Sopressa has drawn the inside gate in the fifteen horse Australasian Oaks field but Coffey is confident he will get plenty of opportunity to find a clear passage in the straight on the wide open spaces of the Morphettville track.
“I have no concerns about barrier one, I’d rather jump from it than barrier 14,” Coffey said.
“Morphettville is one of the best tracks in Australia, there’s room and my opportunity will come, I just have to be patient.”
Betting on race eve at Ladbrokes.com.au for the Australasian Oaks has Sopressa sharing favouritism with the Chris Waller trainer Savacool at $5 just ahead of her stablemate Think Bleue at $6.50 and the Thousand Guineas winner Aloisia at $7.50.
