Katelyn Mallyon hoping to follow in Payne’s footsteps
KATELYN Mallyon is a young jockey on the rise in Australian racing and her hard work has been paid off with a ride in the 2016 Caulfield Cup.
The 22-year-old secured her first Caulfield Cup ride aboard Go Dreaming for Saturday’s race which will jump from barrier one.
Mallyon is excited to continue a winning family tradition in the Caulfield Cup after her grandfather Mick Mallyon won the race on three occasions.
“It’s my first Caulfield Cup ride. It’s a race that I’ve always wanted to ride in and I’m really looking forward to it on Saturday,” Mallyon said.
“I’m just excited to be getting a ride. The race means so much to my family with my pop winning three Caulfield Cups. The whole family will be there and hopefully we can get pop off the couch to be there as well.”
Go Dreaming isn’t expected to win the Caulfield Cup with bookmakers setting its price at $201 with Sportsbet, but Mallyon believes it will enjoy the rise in distance.
“He’s an outsider in the field. The horse ran really well and he’s going to relish every bit of the Caulfield Cup distance and I’m just hoping he can run a really nice race.
“(There’s) No pressure. When I do get closer to the event I’m sure I’ll get a little bit more nervous, but I love riding under pressure.”
Mallyon also secured a Melbourne Cup ride aboard Assign after winning aboard the Lloyd Williams-owned runner in the Herbert Power Stakes last Saturday.
She will be looking to follow in the footsteps of 2015 Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne who has inspired the young rider.
“Michelle won the Melbourne Cup last year and I’ve got a ride in it this year,” Mallyon said. “I’m really excited about that and hopefully I can follow in her footsteps.”
Mallyon will get some practice riding over the 2400m at Caulfield when she partners Our Century in the Up For The Challenge Handicap at Caulfield on Wednesday.
The Robert Hickmott-trained gelding is the current $3.50 favourite at CrownBet.