Maiden stakes win spurring jockey Liam Riordan to seize spring opportunities
A breakthrough stakes success has fuelled jockey Liam Riordan to capitalise on every opportunity, especially with spring on the horizon.
Riordan and wife Emily, a racing broadcast producer and reporter, also have a mounting food bill on the home front with 10-week Bernese Mountain Dog Paddington.
Paddington is small at the moment but fully grown at 60kg would comfortably outweigh Riordan.
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Riordan, set to be dialled in at 51kg-52kg in spring to attract lightweight rides, has pin-up off-season sprinter Marble Nine on Saturday at Flemington in the Group 3 Aurie's Star Handicap (1200m).
Marble Nine has won three on the bounce, including the past two with Riordan in the saddle.
The five-year-old, trained by Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin, claimed the Listed Santa Ana Lane Series Final last start (1200m) at Flemington.
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'He's been a good horse to me, not only good horse but a good stable to be riding for,' Riordan said.
'They've been loyal supporters of me for a long time.'
Liam Riordan winning the Santa Ana Lane Sprint Series Final on Marble Nine at Flemington. Picture: Racing Photos
Riordan arrived from Sydney on the Corstens' Flemington doorstep about a decade ago and worked towards a career in the saddle ever since.
The 28-year-old notched a personal best-equalling 55 winners last season.
Marble Nine became just reward for Riordan commitment to the craft.
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'Melbourne is probably the hardest state to get going in,' Riordan said.
'There's 20-30 high-class jockeys riding in town week-to-week and I'm on the fringe.
'This year, when I've got the opportunity I've capitalised on it really well … hopefully this horse can put my name out there a bit more and I can get more and more opportunities.
'I haven't gone away this year (holidays), which was the first time in three or four years I've ridden throughout winter.
'I'm riding consistent winners for loads of different stables and hopefully opportunities arise.'
Liam Riordan is chasing another stakes victory in the Aurie's Star Handicap on Saturday. Picture: Racing Photos
Marble Nine is a $5.50 for the Aurie's Star from Splash Back ($2.50) and King Of Roseau ($4.60).
'He's got to carry 59.5kg up in grade but he's a horse in form,' Riordan said.
'Loves the straight and makes his own luck, puts himself right on the bunny and runs along.
'I wouldn't trade him for anything, I think he's there to run a bold race.'
Riordan credited a strong support network off the track for consistent race day results.
'Emily does a really good job of keeping me grounded,' Riordan said.
'Three overseas holidays in three years, a wedding, a honeymoon and we just bought a dog.
'I've got to keep riding.'
Originally published as Breakthrough stakes win spurring jockey Liam Riordan to seize spring opportunities
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