Returning King hopes she can reign in the rain with wet-track ‘warhorse’
By Craig Kerry
Fresh from another successful, and mostly sunny, stint in Japan, Rachel King wasted no time adjusting to Sydney’s big wet, landing a winner with her first ride back.
Now she’s hoping “warhorse” Arapaho can provide another highlight in heavy going on Saturday at Randwick.
Bjorn Baker lifts jockey Rachel King after their Sydney Cup win with Arapaho.Credit: Getty Images
King returned home from a month-long stint in Japan on Tuesday and was back in action at Wednesday’s rain-marred Warwick Farm program, producing a top ride from back of the field on Iceman for veteran hall of fame trainer Clarry Conners.
Wins were a regular result for the 35-year-old in her third stint in Japan.
“It was very good; plenty of winners. I think I ended up on 15 for the month,” King said.
“I had six in one weekend, and the first two weekends I won the feature races [group 3s] at both.
“It definitely helps having a bit of success; it helps build that bit of momentum. I think I’ve probably had better quality rides again. I sort of keep stepping up each time I’ve been.”
Rachel King salutes on Arapaho in the Sydney Cup.Credit: Getty Images
Sydney’s continuing wet weather, which will have Randwick in the heavy range on Saturday, is a sharp departure from her time in Japan.
“Only last weekend we had rain on the Sunday, but it was still like 30 degrees,” she said. “It was pretty much firm decks all the time there.”
King may apply for another contract in Japan next year but for now, she is focused on Sydney and the looming spring carnival.
On Saturday, she links up with the Bjorn Baker-trained Arapaho, which she took to an upset win in the group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) in autumn. The nine-year-old is on a cups path and resumes over 1400m in the Winx Stakes. He is $31 (Sportsbet) in the star-studded field, but he has two wins and three placings in eight tries in heavy going.
“One thing is he does handle heavy tracks, so I think we’ll be getting that, but very pleased to be back with him again,” King said.
“And he’s definitely one I’m looking forward to for the spring. He’s been a highlight for a few years. He’s like a little warhorse; he just keeps turning up. So good to have him back again.
“He’ll obviously be looking to get up over a bit further, but it’ll be a good kick-off point for him.”
King also rides Bonita Queen ($15) for Baker in the group 3 Toy Show Quality (1100m). It will be her first race ride on the front-runner since piloting her to second on debut two years ago at Hawkesbury.
“I lost her after her first start, but I’m pleased to be back on her,” she said. “I think it’ll be a bit of a case of who handles the track best. But she’s very fit and ready to go.”
King could also ride the Brad Widdup-trained Hasty Honey ($7.50) in the group 3 Premier’s Cup. She was down to race in the Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury on Thursday, but the meeting was washed out.