PRICE LINES UP AYRTON JOCKEY

Jockey Rachel King having a standout season in Sydney

Jamie Kah is set to partner Ayrton in the Fred Best Classic at Doomben and should the Price runner win the race then he will qualify for the Stradbroke Handicap carrying the bottom weight of 49.5kgs.

Unable to make the lightweight Kah ruled herself out of riding Ayrton in the Stradbroke and as such Kent jr and Price have turned to other options to try and find a rider who can cut to the weight.

The Courier Mail revealed that it is New South Wales based jockey Rachel King who is set to pick up the ride after co-trainer Price revealed she was “in the box seat” should the gelding qualify for the race.

“Rachel is in the box seat,” Price told The Courier Mail.

“In discussion with owners, we think Rachel is a suitable choice to ride this horse in the Stradbroke.

“I said to Rachel to make her position extremely strong, she would be best off flying to Queensland next Tuesday morning and giving the horse a course-proper gallop at Eagle Farm so she has a feel for him.

“Rachel has a good relationship with Jamie Kah, and she rides naturally light.

“She is an experienced, seasoned lightweight rider and we feel she suits good striding horses that roll along up near the pace.”

King has been enjoying a standout season in Sydney where she currently sits third in the Jockeys Title only behind James McDonald and Tommy Berry. 

Getting the start aboard Ayrton would be a major coup for King as there had been talk of lightweight riders Glen Boss, Jye McNeil, Dean Yendall, Mick Dee and Ben Thompson all being chosen as possible suitors.

Ayrton currently sits atop the betting as a red hot favourite for the Stradbroke at $4.20 with no other runner in single figures on the all in markets.