PREMIERSHIP-winning jockey Corey Brown has landed in the hot seat with the ride aboard Gai Waterhouse's last-start flop Bank Robber in Saturday's Show County Quality at Warwick Farm.
"You could nearly count on the one hand how many rides I've had for Gai," Brown said on Thursday.
"Some thought the horse was disappointing first-up, but I'm sure Gai will have him ready for me.
"You couldn't fault the horse last time in work."
In the opening race, Brown takes the ride on Wyong Cup-bound stayer Brave Lancer which he steered to victory at Rosehill last time out.
"It wasn't a bad win," Brown said. "He attacked the line nicely and only has to hold that form and he is right in this."
Brown was impressed with the recent barrier trial of Choican, which runs in the Toy Show Quality, and he expects the Kim Waugh-trained Tangalooma to play a major role in the UD Trucks Handicap.
"I rode him at Canterbury last start and should have won," Brown said. "He was shot off the track at the turn and it took a furlong to get his momentum back up."
In the Silver Shadow Stakes, which has attracted 18 runners, Brown rides the Chris Waller-trained Love And Kisses.
"She hasn't raced since being placed in the AJC Sires', but she felt good winning a Rosehill trial last Friday," Brown said. "Unfortunately, barrier 13 isn't going to help on Saturday."
Quinn fighting fit
Jockey Rod Quinn has spent the past week rehabilitating a twisted ankle and on Thursday declared he was fit to be reunited with Golden Slipper placegetter Portillo in Saturday's Silver Shadow Stakes at Warwick Farm.
"I twisted it pretty bad but I've done a heap of work on it since last Friday and it's back to normal, as good as gold," Quinn said.
"I will get a doctor's clearance to ride on Friday then I'll go to trackwork on Saturday morning to ride a few around to warm up for the races."
Quinn has been aboard Portillo in her only two career wins, in the Gimcrack Stakes and Magic Night Stakes, and he was in the saddle when the filly was third to Sebring in the Golden Slipper.
"She is a classy filly and she trialled sensationally last Friday," Quinn said. "She is a great chance of resuming with a win."
Quinn has two other rides at Warwick Farm, Universal Colours (UD Trucks Handicap) and Packing Success (Jim Beam Handicap) and rates both as "excellent hopes".
Ryan scratches filly
Gerald Ryan's four-pronged assault on Warwick Farm was reduced to three when the Rosehill trainer scratched Mysterious Light from Saturday's Silver Shadow Stakes after the filly drew barrier 18. "She can go to a maiden at Canterbury on Wednesday," Ryan said.
Ryan opens the day with Crums in the first race. "Shane Dye has been doing plenty of trackwork for us, and when Crums didn't get Hugh Bowman's weight I had no hesitation putting Shane on," the trainer said.
In the UD Trucks Handicap, Ryan saddles up Universal Colours, while talented galloper Mazuka runs in the group 3 Up And Coming Stakes.
"Mazuka showed promise in the autumn," Ryan said. "He is bigger and strong now and I've decided to take the blinkers off."
AJC request denied
The Australian Jockey Club's attempt to downsize its commitment to racing has met some opposition.
The AJC's application to transfer nine of its midweek meetings to the provincial circuit has been declined by Racing NSW.
The ruling body's chief executive, Peter V'Landys, also revealed on Thursday that the Racing NSW board will meet on Wednesday and consider whether the AJC can conduct its 17 Wednesday meetings at Warwick Farm.
"We believe race clubs should make racing their core function," V'Landys said in regard to the provincial move. "Owners with horses domiciled at Randwick would also have an additional charge to float horses to the provincial meetings."
V'Landys pointed out the moving of dates affects funding distribution, and under the new racing act a review of the intra-code agreement between race clubs must be conducted.
No rush for Triple Honour
Doncaster Handicap winner Triple Honour won't race again until the Chelmsford Stakes at Randwick on September 6.
"I don't want to rush him, so that will be the next target," trainer Chris Waller said. "He got through last week's Premiere Stakes win in great order and having three weeks between runs and stepping straight up to the mile won't worry him at all. I might even give him a quiet trial before the Chelmsford.
"We've also decided to take the blinkers off him as [jockey] Glen Boss thinks the horse is inclined to switch off a bit when he hits the front and can't see other horses around him."
The Cox Plate remains a long-term target for Triple Honour.