Lemaire excited to ride in QE Stakes
SYDNEY With 97 Group 1 wins in seven different countries, it is surprising that it has taken so long for accomplished international jockey Christophe Lemaire to make his way to Sydney.
While the Japan-based French jockey has already tasted success in Australia, winning the 2011 Melbourne Cup on Dunaden, the second day of The Championships will mark his first Sydney foray.
Lemaire is in town to partner Japanese visitor Rousham Park in the A$5 million (S$4.07 million) Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2,000m), and admits he grasped the chance with both hands, forgoing riding at an important meeting overseas in favour of heading to Randwick.
"I have never had the opportunity (before). With the French horses, no opportunity and with the Japanese, no opportunity," Lemaire said.
"There is also a big race in Japan this weekend. But, for me, to ride in Sydney will be a new experience and this is very important for me.
"I always like to travel around and I think riding in Sydney, at least once in a jockey's career, it's something important.
"I'm lucky enough, I won the Melbourne Cup once. Sydney is also a major city for horse racing in Australia and here are the best jockeys and the top horses, so I'm really looking forward to riding here."
Trained by Hiroyasu Tanaka, Rousham Park has raced 16 times and Lemaire has ridden him in seven of those, including to four of the horse's six wins.
Two starts ago, he partnered the Harbinger six-year-old to a narrow second behind superstar Rebel's Romance in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Turf (2,414m) at Del Mar on Nov 2.
He feels that international experience will hold the entire in good stead for Saturday's clash with the likes of Via Sistina and Dubai Honour.
"It was a very good experience for him travelling to America," said Lemaire. "He performed very well in the Breeders' Cup. He is used to racing on a right-hand racecourse. He is quite adaptable."
As is Lemaire, who won last week's UAE Derby with Admire Daytona in Dubai before jetting into Sydney on April 8 in time for the Quen Elizabeth Stakes barrier draw.
He reunited with Rousham Park in a trackwork hit-out at Canterbury on the next morning and the horse will be his only ride at Randwick.
Lemaire is hoping it is the only one he needs.
"I have a very good souvenir from Australia winning the Melbourne Cup in 2011 with Dunaden," he said.
"Hopefully this weekend, it will again be a good result for Rousham Park and all the connections." SKY WORLD RACING
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