Jockey Jag Guthmann-Chester says he'll be ‘blown away' if he can win this month's Group 1 Queensland Derby
The 26-year-old will ride the Tony and Maddy Sears -trained colt in the Group 3 Rough Habit Plate (2000m) at Doomben on Saturday and if all goes well, he is expected to retain the ride for the $1m Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm on May 31.
It would be the first Group 1 ride for the laid-back Guthmann-Chester, who said he had matured enormously over the past two years and was ready to 'have a crack' after ditching distractions outside of racing.
'If I can win the Derby it would not only be a career highlight, it'd knock me off my feet because I wouldn't have thought I'd have a live Group 1 chance 12 months ago,' he said. 'It'd mean everything. I think I'd be pretty blown away if I did get the result.
'It probably wouldn't sink in for a while because if you asked me two years whether I'd ever win a Group 1, I would've said 'never'.
'Twelve months ago if you said 'you'd have a live chance in a Derby' I'd say 'you're kidding yourself'.
'To be in this position, it's surreal and I just really hope the horse runs well and we get the result we're looking for.'
Beau Dazzler is a class above as he makes it two in-a-row! 🌟 pic.twitter.com/rZIgG1GmoA
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 28, 2024
Guthmann-Chester rode 200-1 shot Artful Girl in last Saturday's Group 2 $500,000 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) and finished eighth, ahead of Chris Waller 's star pair Lindermann and race favourite Buckaroo.
It was his only ride on the day but in less than three weeks, he is likely to be competing in a Group 1 on a three-year-old colt with a genuine chance in the Queensland Derby.
'That's the game. Twelve months ago I was riding around the provincial circuit,' said Guthmann-Chester, who enjoys a bit of boxing to help keep fit.
'I had a career-best season but I was only going around the provincial circuit and I was quite content doing that.
'As I've gotten older I've matured a bit and dedicated myself a bit more and I want to actually have a crack, which is why I've based myself in town.
'I know the opportunities come harder now that I'm in town, especially during carnival time.'
Beau Dazzler, who flew home to finish third in this month's $350,000 Group 2 Queensland Guineas (1600m) at Eagle Farm, is currently a $13 chance in the Derby.
The only stayers ahead of him in the betting are equal-$7 favourites Belle Detelle, Firm Agreement and King Of Thunder and Statuario ($11).
'He'll be flying the flag for the Queenslanders so I'm sure everyone will be cheering for him,' Guthmann-Chester said.
'I've never ridden a horse who conserves so much energy in a race. I've never had a horse who relaxes as much as he does.
'Within his action he really just puts himself to sleep and is super comfortable.
'I've got no issue that he'll run a strong 2400m and the exciting part is he doesn't mind a wet or dry track.'
Guthmann-Chester said if given the opportunity, he would treat the Derby as just another race on Beau Dazzler, who was notorious for performing horribly in his trials.
'Take away the Group 1 status and prizemoney, it's exactly what we do every week so you've just got to do your job,' he said.
'I think I really thrive under pressure. I don't get a lot of opportunities in the bigger races but every time I've rode in those bigger races I seem to give my horse every chance.
'I'd be happy if I could just get one Group 1 winner in my career but hopefully it does open up a few more doors.'
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