'It's really special' - British rider set for Melbourne Cup debut on Pondus

British and Irish-based jockeys are unable to compete in next Tuesday’s Lexus Melbourne Cup due to Covid-19 restrictions but Rachel King will be flying the flag after being booked to ride Pondus on her debut in the Flemington showpiece.

Pondus, formerly trained by James Fanshawe and Joseph O’Brien, recently joined Robert Hickmott and is a best-priced 40-1 with bet365 following his length fourth in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup on Saturday.

King rode as an amateur in Britain and was also secretary for Clive Cox before embarking on her Australian odyssey seven and a half years ago. It is a move that continues to pay off.

King, 31, said: “It’s really special to pick up a first ride in the Melbourne Cup and it will definitely be the biggest day of my career.

“I went to watch my fiance Blake [Spriggs] ride in it a few years ago and it was an atmosphere like no other – it really is the race that stops the nation. I’ve been to the Grand National, all four days at the Cheltenham Festival and Royal Ascot, but Melbourne Cup day is just another level from a crowd point of view – a lot of English people won’t like me saying that!

“It will be a little different this year with the crowd being capped but the event is huge. I’ll be the one representing Britain in the weighing room and if I do well, I’m sure the Brits back home will want to claim that!

“Moving out here has really paid off. I’ve had great opportunities and various stakes winners. The number of winners has increased each season – I’m definitely happy I took the risk and headed out.”

Pondus: a best-priced 40-1 to land the Melbourne CupCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

King believes Pondus, who races in the colours of seven-time Melbourne Cup-winning owner Lloyd Williams, can run a big race in the 2m event.

She said: “He came over last year and ran a couple of good races and he’s been super in two starts here this year. He ran really well on Saturday in a race that wasn’t run to suit as they went pretty steady. He stuck on really well and the team are confident he'll improve from the run.

“He’s gone well twice at Flemington and it’s a good track for the European horses as it’s quite big and spacious and something they’re slightly more used to.

“Anything can happen in the Melbourne Cup and Pondus can be competitive, for sure. He stays well and is fairly adaptable, he has a good trainer and to be riding for Lloyd Williams in his prestigious colours in the Melbourne Cup is fantastic.

“It’s going to be amazing just to ride in it, but if we can get some kind of result it would be exceptional.”

There will be 10,000 racegoers on track for Australia’s biggest raceday and plenty of support for King in Britain, with her family setting their alarms for the race at 4am GMT.

King, who enjoyed a breakthrough top-level success on Maid Of Heaven in the Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick in 2018, said: “My family are really excited and they’re planning a very early morning party. It might be slightly anti-social for everyone, but Mum and Dad don’t care about that. They’ll be up, ready to watch it live and cheering me on.”

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