16-05-2025
Celine Gaudray grabs opportunity for success in Straight Six at Flemington
Jockey Celine Gaudray wants to turn a surprise call to ride Running By into stakes success on Saturday at Flemington in the Listed Straight Six (1200m).
Gaudray will partner Running By, an $8.50 chance trained by Ciaron Maher, in the feature.
'I haven't had a lot of rides for Maher recently, it's a busy time of year, everybody wants to ride, but I'm really grateful to have a ride like that,' Gaudray said.
Running By won fresh at 1400m last campaign, finished over The Open at Caulfield and then saluted again third-up in a 1600m event at Flemington.
The Impending mare capped the preparation with a second to Modown at Pakenham and placed fourth in the Listed Kensington Stakes (1400m) at Flemington.
Gaudray has two other rides on Saturday including last-start winner The Opportunist.
Her best chance on the card arguably, Torranzino, was scratched on Thursday from the Melbourne Cup qualifying Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes (2800m) with a cold.
'I was so flat when he scratched, I really thought he could've won that race,' Gaudray said.
Gaudray piloted The Opportunist, trained by Lindsay Park, to a three-length Warrnambool win last start.
Gaudray has ridden 17 winners this season for Ben, JD and Will Hayes – striking at 20 per cent – including Angry Skies last Saturday at Caulfield.
'I actually didn't really ride for them a lot throughout my apprenticeship, more so towards the end,' Gaudray said.
'When I came out of my time I was a little bit worried because I wasn't sure who would back me and it is good to have a good stable to back you up.
'I can't thank them enough, honestly, they've carried me through my senior year so far.'
