Jockey Chasing Group One Treble

Declan Bates chasing Group One Treble

Winning back to back Group One races on consecutive weekends hasn’t hit home for jockey Declan Bates just yet as he looks to head out again this Saturday looking for a third. 

He hasn’t had chance to reflect on wins in the Group One Empire Rose Stakes and the Champions Mile aboard Pride of Jenni during the Melbourne Cup week with the next assignments coming thick and fast.

 

"Maybe after the spring carnival, I'll take a break, but for now it's business as usual," Bates said.

"I want to focus on Saturday but I had a few nice rides at Ballarat and riding at both meetings on Friday so it's still very busy.

"I'm staying in the zone until I decide to give myself a break and maybe I'll reflect on it then.

"For now, it's just head in the game all the time still."

Bates has been keeping busy in between Group One assignments riding in jump outs at Casterton in Victoria’s West before taking part in the midweek meeting at Ballarat.

Bates is also pencilled in for a double header on Friday with rides booked at Seymour and the night meeting at the Valley before heading to Caulfield on Saturday to take his ride in the Group One Thousand Guineas where he will ride Archie Alexander trained Vivy Air.

The Alexander runner is currently a $19 chance to win the Thousand Guineas having recently finished second in the Thousand Guineas prelude on Caulfield Cup day.

Vivy Air will have the addition of blinkers for the first time and the stable are hoping that gives her the ability to settle closer to the speed in the 13 runner field. 

"Hopefully, she'll come out and start to travel strong straight away and we're hoping the winkers will do that for her," Bates said.

"She's not ungenuine or anything, she's just quite relaxed and it's just to focus her travelling.

"She's a filly I really rate highly.

"I think she's a good winning chance."

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