Azzopardi Lands Top Belmont Guineas Ride
10 June, 2019
Thoroughbred
Trainer Simon Miller has put his confidence in comeback apprentice Chloe Azzopardi for the top ride on Flirtini in the Listed Belmont Guineas (1600m) at Belmont on June 22.
Azzopardi conceded she was surprised to get the call up to ride Flirtini, but she is determined to maximise her opportunity and repay the confidence shown by Miller and owners Barry and Jan McRostie.
“I’m very excited and extremely happy to keep the ride because I didn’t expect it to happen,” Azzopardi told The Races WA.
“It’s going to be my first ride in a big race and a good ride as well.
“It’s so great to get the support of Simon and Barry and Jan because they didn’t have to put me on.
“I’m really appreciative and I want to take the most of this great opportunity.
“I want to do them proud and perform at my best so the horse can perform at her best.”
Azzopardi has been Flirtini’s regular partner this preparation after the filly showed great signs against quality opposition at Ascot last year.
Flirtini ran second to stablemate Lady Cosmology in the Listed Burgess Queen Stakes (1400m) and third to boom filly Arcadia Queen in the Group 2 WA Guineas (1600m).
The daughter of Artie Schiller has enjoyed an almost flawless winter campaign, winning her first two races easily and finishing a length second to Great Again in torrential rain at Belmont on Saturday.
“I thought it was a good run in those conditions and against a winner who loves the wet,” Azzopardi said.
Flirtini, a $150,000 yearling, has won three races and been placed on five further occasions from her nine starts for stake earnings of $226,200.
Azzopardi is optimistic the gun three-year-old can snatch the biggest win of her career and overcome a distance query in Saturday week’s Belmont Guineas.
“She ran third in last year’s WA Guineas,” Azzopardi said.
“I have no concerns about the distance and think she will be fine.
“I’m hoping for a good result and if it is it’s going to be crazy.”
Azzopardi has made a brilliant comeback to riding after a weight battle took her away from the saddle in 2014.
Since launching her return four months ago the 22-year-old has ridden 13 city winners including a career-best treble on April 20.
Julio Santarelli