LOYALTY to bosses swayed apprentice jockey Teo Nugent's decision to take a ride on Floating Artist for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace in Tuesday's $8 million Melbourne Cup at Flemington.
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Nugent, who is in the final year of his apprenticeship with Maher and Eustace, knocked back the mount on the Chris Waller-trained Great House in favour of Floating Artist.
The former Warrnambool Brauer College student said he was excited to fulfil his dream of having a ride in 'the race that stops the nation'.
"I'm pinching myself I've got my first ride in the Melbourne Cup," he told The Standard.
"It's been a few big weeks for me on the back of my first Caulfield Cup ride.
"Every jockey dreams of having a ride in the Melbourne Cup and I've got my chance on Tuesday.
Every jockey dreams of having a ride in the Melbourne Cup and I've got my chance on Tuesday.
- Teo Nugent
"It's strange at one stage I had the offer of three rides in the cup because I can ride so light and then it came down to two - Floating Artist and Great House.
"It was my decision to ride Floating Artist and I made it after Great House won the Lexus on Saturday.
"Ciaron and David have been sensational bosses to me. I just thought I would repay them for the faith they have showed in me since I started my apprenticeship with them in 2017."
The 23-year-old, who rode Floating Artist into second place in last weeks Moonee Valley Cup revealed his partner Claira and dad John will be among the 10,000 racegoers that will be on-course to watch him ride the imported galloper.
"Floating Artist had no luck in the Moonee Valley Cup," he said.
"I was just a victim of circumstances. It was a very good run by Floating Artist.
"He's fit and ready to run a big race in the Melbourne Cup. I'm just hoping to have a bit of luck in the run as you always need that to win races."
Floating Artist is rated a $16 chance in the early betting markets for the Melbourne Cup.
The Peter Moody-trained Incentivise is the hot favourite, with odds hovering at $2.30 for an outright win. Warrnambool trainer Symon Wilde will saddle up Tralee Rose.
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