Mick Dee hoping to make Champions Day his own again in flying visit

Willydoit won the NZ Derby last season for expat jockey Mick Dee. Photo / Megan Liefting

Melbourne-based expat jockey Mick Dee is set for a return to familiar territory at Ellerslie on Saturday week with a strong book of Champions Day rides.

Since relocating to Victoria in his late teens, 29-year-old Dee has enjoyed immense success, interspersed with regular trips home for feature race assignments.

One notable such occasion was last year’s inaugural Champions Day when he achieved a career highlight with victory on Willydoit in the Trackside NZ Derby as well as the Gr.3 Sunline Vase on Island Life.

This time around Dee will partner Aksil in the Derby, while his book also includes Belle Cheval in the Listed NZB Kiwi, Lara Antipova in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m), Waitak in the Gr.1 Bonecrusher NZ Stakes, Grail Seeker in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Classic (1400m) and Espionage in the Gr.3 Haunui Farm King’s Plate (1200m).

Last year Dee conjured a form reversal out of Willydoit after he had been unplaced in the Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m), and he’s hoping he can do the same again on Aksil.

In Saturday’s Avondale Guineas, the Katrina and Simon Alexander-trained gelding, who now races in the OTI Racing colours, finished a below-par sixth after racing keenly in the early stages.

“I’ve been told he was quite fresh in what was his first run over ground and he’ll have the blinkers off for the Derby, so I’m hoping he’ll be better for the experience,” Dee said on Tuesday. “He looked pretty good when he won at Ellerslie the time before.”

With the news that Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai NZ Oaks winner is set to be transferred to Chris Waller and will not be running in the Derby, the reframed TAB futures market is now headed by Oaks runner-up Autumn Glory at $3.50, while Aksil is on the fourth line at $12.

The most fancied of Dee’s Champions Day rides is Lara Antipova, who remained unbeaten with her last-start victory in the Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) and is currently quoted at $1.50 for the Sistema Stakes.

“I’m really looking forward to riding Lara Antipova in the big 2-year-old race, she looks the best of that age-group,” said Dee, who finished second on Closer To Free in last Saturday’s Melbourne juvenile feature, the Gr.1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.

Dee will also combine with another Mark Walker-Sam Bergerson-trained filly in Belle Cheval, who likewise is weighted below stable rider Opie Bosson’s minimum.

On Saturday the Savabeel filly completed her NZB Kiwi preparation with a comprehensive win in the Uncle Remus Stakes, but Dee is keeping his feet on the ground given the challenge presented by the unbeaten Well Written.

“She certainly looks the goods that other filly, but I’m happy to be riding one that also has a strong formline – you never know what might happen.”

The prospect of being legged up on the well-proven Wexford Stables pair Waitak and Grail Seeker is also something for Dee to look forward to.

“I’m not sure what to make of Waitak’s run the other day, but I think they’re going to change things with his training and hopefully that can turn him around. On his day he can win anything.

“Grail Seeker also has strong Group 1 form and she’s been targeted at the fillies and mares’ race, so she should be a good ride too.

“I always enjoy coming back home to ride and it’s great to have such a solid book on what’s become New Zealand’s biggest raceday.”

– LOVERACING.NZ News Desk