BRODIE Loy is treating tomorrow like any other race day.
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In reality it is anything but.
Golden Slipper bound two-year-olds begin their campaigns in the time-honoured Cannonbury and Widen Stakes while a host of group 1 gallopers resume in the Expressway.
It will also be the highly regarded former Albury apprentice’s first ride for the Gai Waterhouse stable.
Loy, 18, will partner Greatwood ($4.80) when the imported stakes winner resumes over 1500 metres at Rosehill.
“It’s a big name in racing and I’m glad to ride one of her horses,” Loy said yesterday.
“But I’ve got to go about it in the same way I would any other race day, whether I’m riding for Brett Cavanough at Albury or anyone else.
“I’m trying to keep a level head and hopefully ride a winner for Gai.
“Sydney racing is dominated by big stables and so the reality is if you aren’t riding for them you are probably on the sidelines when it comes to carnival time.”
It is one of four rides on the major race day for the son of another Border racing identity Norm Loy.
The three-kilogram claiming apprentice will ride Tetsuko ($26) for the Gerald Ryan stable, Choice Bro ($17) for John Sargeant and the Michael Moroney trained Devonshire Duke ($31) in the last.
The 178 centimetre-tall Loy has been wasting to get down to 52 kilograms for recent meetings and said the hard work was beginning to pay off.
“You have to work hard in this game and particularly in Sydney where there are so many good jockeys,” he said.
“It’s a hard place to crack as an apprentice.
“But I approached Gai’s stable foreman about riding trackwork and now I go into Randwick every Thursday riding 10 or 12 for the stable from fast work to a canter.
“After that I sometimes ride a few for Anthony Cummings.”
While yet to ride Greatwood in trackwork Loy said the feedback from others had been positive.
“They say he is flying,” he said.
“He’ll also benefit if the track is a bit soft and it has been raining up here all week.
“I’ve ridden on group 1 days before but I don’t think I have ever had as good a book of rides on a major race day before.”