Jon Snow
Bradley Photography
Victorian based jockey Damien Lane is still a little confused on just how he managed to secure the ride on Saturday's courageous Australian Derby winner Jon Snow, who has now provided him with a Sydney stakes race double.
Lane made his first ride on the kiwi visitor a winning one when he took out the Gr. 2 Tulloch Stakes a week ago before producing another gem of an effort to land the $2m Gr. 1 Australian Derby in a slogging finish on Saturday.
"A few people have asked me how I got the ride and to be honest I don't really have a proper answer," he admitted.
"I was lucky enough to pick up the ride last week which was just a right place right time thing and then lucky enough to stick with him.
Lane made his first ride on the kiwi visitor a winning one when he took out the Gr. 2 Tulloch Stakes a week ago before producing another gem of an effort to land the $2m Gr. 1 Australian Derby in a slogging finish on Saturday.
"A few people have asked me how I got the ride and to be honest I don't really have a proper answer," he admitted.
"I was lucky enough to pick up the ride last week which was just a right place right time thing and then lucky enough to stick with him.
Jon Snow takes victory in the Gr.1 Australian Derby
Bradley Photography
"He's done a great job as have Andrew (Forsman) and Murray (Baker) to get him through the week in tip top shape."
Lane was full of praise for his mount who provided co-trainer Murray Baker with his fourth Australian Derby win in the last 10 years following on from Nom Du Jeu in 2008, It's A Dundeel in 2013 and Mongolian Khan in 2015.
"His biggest asset is his ability to find a good rhythm and then switch off in the running," he said.
"As soon as I got outside the leader I was able to put him to sleep. He just conserves as much energy as possible before you ask him for an effort where he comes up under you immediately."
The win also provided gave Lane with a second Group One victory in the last month on a New Zealand bred runner after he combined with Humidor to win the Australian Cup at Flemington on 11 March.
Lane was full of praise for his mount who provided co-trainer Murray Baker with his fourth Australian Derby win in the last 10 years following on from Nom Du Jeu in 2008, It's A Dundeel in 2013 and Mongolian Khan in 2015.
"His biggest asset is his ability to find a good rhythm and then switch off in the running," he said.
"As soon as I got outside the leader I was able to put him to sleep. He just conserves as much energy as possible before you ask him for an effort where he comes up under you immediately."
The win also provided gave Lane with a second Group One victory in the last month on a New Zealand bred runner after he combined with Humidor to win the Australian Cup at Flemington on 11 March.
