CHAMPION jumps jockey Steven Pateman has put up his hand to ride promising jumper Big Blue in the $315,000 Grand Annual Steeplechase at Warrnambool on May 6.
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Big Blue, winner of three of his four Australian jumping starts before embarking on an unsuccessful overseas jumps campaign, is back in work at trainer Ciaron Maher's Ballarat stables.
Pateman, 37, who holds a dual licence, is riding and training under a stay of proceedings relating to cobalt findings. He said he schooled Big Blue over jumps 10 days ago.
"I would love to ride Big Blue in the Grand Annual," he said.
"Big Blue has come back into work stronger than he was previously. I've got no doubt he'll run out the 5500 metres of the Annual and he loves wet tracks. He's a very good jumper as is shown by his record.
"Things just never went right for him when he went overseas, but he's right now.
"I'm training and riding under a stay of proceedings. Our case goes to the Supreme Court in October."
The three-time Grand Annual Steeplechase winner is looking forward to the 2021 jumps season with confidence after having interruptions over the last couple of years.
"I've had a few weight issues over the last few years but I'm managing them," Pateman said.
"I'm like everyone else - I found last season very frustrating because of COVID.
"I'm riding trackwork for Ciaron and been doing some work for Patrick Payne, but Patrick looks likely to use Aaron Kuru as his main jumps jockey this season.
"Ciaron, who trains in partnership with David Eustace, has a few nice jumpers in their stable.
"I've had a lot of luck riding for Ciaron. We teamed up to win the 2011 Grand Annual with Al Garhood.
"I'm just hoping we may achieve that feat again this year with Big Blue.
"My wife Jess and I have six jumpers in work, so we're going to be kept busy one way or the other."
Pateman said he was really looking forward to this season.
"It's my 19th as a jumps jockey, and I'm confident with a bit of luck I may be able to win another few feature jumps winners this season."
Pateman has won the Tommy Corrigan Medal for the leading jumps jockey on eight occasions.
FAMILY AFFAIR
TALENTED horseman Daniel Small is looking forward to following in the footsteps of his brother Braidon as a jumps jockey.
Daniel, who has been living in Warrnambool for 11 months after working extensively with horses on the Gold Coast for more than 15 years, has made an application for jumps jockeys licence.
"I've got to go through all the procedures before I get my ticket," he said.
"I've got to ride in jump outs and 10 jumps trials.
"I would love to think I'll get my ticket by the end of this season and I'll be able to kick off the 2022 season as an apprentice jumps jockey.
"Braidon has been a big help to me.
"I've been coming down to Warrnambool on and off for about seven years, and I just thought it's the ideal time to have a crack as a jumps jockey.
"I've been riding a fair bit of track work for trainers like Quinton Scott.
"I'm really enjoying my time down here."
The Smalls are sons of Cyril, who rode the legendary Vo Rogue to 22 wins during his illustrious career.
FUTURE FOCUS
PETER Chow will freshen Paul's Regret up for races in late April after her sixth placing in the $160,000 Tressady Stakes at Flemington on Saturday.
The Warrnambool-based trainer said Paul's Regret was held up for momentum at a vital stage of the 1400 metre race.
"From where I was sitting I just thought for a few strides she lost momentum," Chow said. "The other part of the issue may be that she doesn't run a strong 1400 metres in that class.
"It was a very good field she came up against on Saturday. She's very honest.
"There's some VOBIS Gold races in April.
"I think we'll just give her a bit of a freshen up and set her for those races.
"She's had a very good campaign, winning two of her four races."
From 13 starts, Paul's Regret has amassed more than $240,000 in stakemoney.
JERICHO CHANGE
A high-weight race over 3300 metres at Warrnambool on March 26 has been added to the guaranteed start race for this year's Jericho Cup.
The race will be run through the paddocks.
The first Australian-bred horse over the line will automatically gain entry into the Jericho Cup over 4600 metres at Warrnambool on November 28.
RIDING CHARGES
POPULAR Warrnambool jockey Kevin Bohorun pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge after his winning ride on Astro Castro at Colac on Saturday.
Stewards found that, near the 350 metre mark, Bohorun permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of Solitary Choice.
He copped an eight-meeting suspension for the indiscretion. His suspension started midnight February 28 and ends March 7. Stewards deemed the incident in the low-range and took into account his good record and guilty plea.
Meanwhile, jumps jockey Will Gordon was outed for three jumps highweight races on a careless riding charge. The suspension started midnight February 28 and ends March 8.
WHO TO FOLLOW
AFFAIR TO REMEMBER: Huge first-up effort to run fifth in a 1400 metre race. She drew a wide barrier which made winning a tough task but she finished the race off strongly. She has strong second-up form.
LORD OLYMPUS: Promising colt who resumed with a third placing on Saturday. He should be improved with that run under his belt.
CHRIS WALLER: Stating the obvious here - champion trainer who just keeps on producing winners at all levels. Punters should always respect his runners.
GLITTER 'N' GOLD: Impressive maiden winner at her debut. She looks to have a bright future.
BRENDAN McCARTHY: Underrated trainer who only has a small stable of horses in work but he continues to win races.
CHERRY TORTONI: Slashing effort to run second in the Australian Guineas. He will be hard to beat in feature three-year-old races in Sydney over the autumn.