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Kate Mallyon is set to jump in the saddle for her first Melbourne Cup ride on November 1st as Assign bolts towards contention and moves up the order of entry.
Assign has moved into 27th in the order after a win over the weekend in the Herbert Power Stakes and being re-handicapped with a one-kilogram weight penalty for the race that stops the nation.
The Lloyd Williams-owned six-year-old gelding is expected to take her place in the final field of 24 come race day, meaning Mallyon will become yet another women to ply her trade in the biggest race on the Australian calendar.
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“If Assign goes to the Melbourne Cup, I got confirmation from Lloyd this morning that I will be able to ride him which is super exciting,” Mallyon said on Monday morning.
“I have never actually sat on a Melbourne Cup horse before, but he’s [Assign] pretty good and he’s only going to get better as he gets further distance.
With last years champion jockey, Michelle Payne out of the running after her ride Prince of Penzance was ruled out with injury, Mallyon has the chance to take the reigns and follow in her sted.
“Michelle won the Melbourne Cup last year and I’ve got a ride in it this year. I’m really excited about that and hopefully I can follow in her footsteps,” she said.
The 22-year-old rode Assign to the aforementioned Herbert Power win, as well as a strong second place finish in the Harry White Classic back in September.
She has also picked up a ride on Go Dreaming in what will be here maiden Caulfield Cup this weekend, continuing what has been a stellar year.
Co-owner Nick Williams has been quick to praise the young winner and her selection.
“You certainly couldn’t put anyone else on that horse and expect them to ride him any better,” he said.
“She just rides these horses so well… she’s one of the few local jockeys that really understands pace and rides these European horses as a consequence particularly well.”
Assign will hit the barriers for the Bendigo Cup in a couple of weeks as the final preparations for one of the many Williams team big name runners.
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