Kiwi hoop Mark du Plessis
Trish Dunell
Mark Du Plessis’ decision to base himself in Brisbane for the winter has been rewarded with a Group One opportunity.
The New Zealand jockey has been booked to partner the Tony Gollan-trained Most Important in Saturday’s Stradbroke Handicap (1350m) at Doomben.
“He can ride 53kg without any trouble, which is a big plus,” Gollan said.
The winner of nine races, Most Important will have to turn his form around in the Stradbroke after tailing the field home in the Gr.1 Kingsford Smith Cup (1350m).
“He seemed to have swallowed a lot of dirt and mud during the race so there was an excuse,” Gollan said. “This is his grand final on Saturday and he is much better off at the weights.”