He's Our Rokkii
Bruno Cannatelli
The opening day of the Melbourne Cup carnival brings about a change of attitude in the jockeys.
There's little banter between the riders who are focused on their mounts in the nine stakes races, four at Group One level.
Senior jockey Dwayne Dunn notices the change in the jockeys room each year.
"The game changes now," Dunn said.
"For us as jockeys we find it more draining, not so much physically, but mentally.
"On a normal Saturday you might have a good ride that you are really motivated for but every race on Saturday you have to be on your game right from the start."
Dunn describes Victoria Derby day as Australia's best day of racing.
He said earlier in the carnival there might only be three or four chances per race, but come Saturday that rises to sometimes seven or eight.
With rides in the four Group One features Dunn rides He's Our Rokkii (NZ) (Roc de Cambes), who he partnered to win the Toorak Handicap at Caulfield, in the Cantala Stakes (1600m).
Dunn said He's Our Rokki had been well-placed in his three runs this campaign, culminating in his Group One Toorak success.
"He's kept stepping up to the plate everytime we've raised the bar but this is by far his toughest test," Dunn said. -APP