Image: Darren Winningham
You could be forgiven for thinking that Jim Byrne will be happy just to be competing in this year’s Winter Carnival, once again, after being forced to watchthe carnival from the sidelines for the last two years through injury.
But you would be wrong … or, at very least, that would only be covering half the story.
No top-class jockey will ever be satisfied with making up the numbers, whatever the circumstances, and t multi-premiership and Group 1 winning rider Byrne is no exception.
“Of course, I am happy to be back and competing in the carnival and riding against the cream of what Australia has got to offer and being able to compete at that level … which is where you want to be … but I want to take that further,” said Byrne.
Even when it was pointed out to him that he has already put one carnival win on the board, courtesy of his success aboard the New Zealand bred, Chris Waller trained Bonny Ezra in the Gold Coast Cup, Byrne put that win in context from his perspective.
“Yeah, I know, I know. I was happy with that … but, I must admit I’m looking for the bigger ones,” said Byrne.
“That win was hopefully a stepping stone and I’m riding him again on Saturday (in the Group 3 Premier’s Cup).”
But it is the other winner that Byrne has ridden since the carnival kicked off … First Innings … that could provide the milestone win Byrne is striving to reach at this time.
First Innings runs in the Group 1 Queensland Derby and the Andrew Forsman trained gelding comes into that contest off the back of a facile win at Ipswich over 2180m with Byrne in the saddle … in his first run in Australia.
It might have been a fairly modest midweek contest and First Innings was roundly neglected in the betting … he started at $21 with betting apps … but Byrne was very satisfied with the performance.
“I think he has got a good chance in the Derby,” said Byrne.
“I think his win at Ipswich was really good. He showed that he has got a really good turn of foot. I had to make a long run on him, and he was doing it pretty soft coming to the hundred, so I could ease down pretty much.
“I’ve been very fortunate to have some very good carnivals in the past. Every year I’ve always been able to kick a goal somewhere during the carnival so, hopefully, this carnival is no different.
“It has been tough … coming back. I was out … on and off … for nearly two years. That’s a long time to be out of the game and, when you come back after that length of time away, you have got to scratch around to try to get decent rides … and you need decent rides to get results … so it is not easy.
“It goes without saying I am very pleased to be on First Innings in a Group 1 on Saturday.”
Byrne already has a Queensland Derby notch on his belt having won aboard Riva San in 2008.
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