Koby Jennings hopes Godolphin can help him get back on the winning path at Randwick

Koby Jennings is chasing a confidence-boosting win when he reunites with Godolphin trainer James Cummings on Ranier in the Listed $150,000 Civic Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Ranier is the first ride Jennings has had for the Cummings stable since returning to the saddle earlier this month after breaking his left arm in a race fall at Goulburn last December.

The jockey’s injury came just weeks after he rode the Cummings-trained Colette to win the Golden Eagle.

Jennings, 26, has only had a handful of rides since recovering from injury and is still chasing that elusive comeback winner.

“I’m very excited for be riding for Godolphin again,’’ Jennings said.

“Ranier is obviously a smart sprinter and it would be good if I could finally break through for a winner or two again.’’

Jennings admitted his recovery from the Goulburn fall took longer than expected due to the severity of his injuries.

His arm was broken in two places and required surgery where two rods and 15 screws were inserted to repair the damage.

“I needed the five months to allow the arm to heal and get full movement back in my wrist and fingers,’’ Jennings said.

“I still have a couple of little aches and niggles in my arm but I don’t feel any pain when I’m riding now.’’

Koby Jennings won the Golden Eagle for Godolphin. Picture: Getty Images for the Australian Turf ClubSource:Getty Images

The Goulburn fall was an unfortunate setback for Jennings as his riding career was gaining real momentum following his win on Colette in the Golden Eagle.

But Jennings has an upbeat take on his extended period on the sidelines and the positive impact it has had on his mental and physical wellbeing.

“I think the five months it took to recover from my broken arm was good for me as I was able to have a longer time away from riding than you normally could,’’ Jennings said.

“I was able to do some travelling and drove to Townsville to see one of my friends, (jockey) Carl Spry, and I also got to see my family in Victoria few times so I made good use of the time I spent out from riding.’’

Jennings said his weight got up to 63kg when he was recovering from injury but the emerging jockey is back riding at 57kg.

“My weight didn’t really blow out this time, I was able to keep it under control,’’ he said.

“I remember when I broke my jaw a couple of years ago, my weight got to over 70kg.

“Obviously, the more rides I have, the fitter I am and the better my weight will be but I’m feeling stronger every day.’’

Cummings has switched Ranier back to Sydney after the sprinter scored a stylish last-start win in the Listed Wayne Wilson Stakes at Eagle Farm.

Ranier is topweight with 59.5kg in the Civic Stakes where he is rated at $6 in latest TAB Fixed Odds betting behind only Wandabaa ($5 favourite).

Ranier is among the main chances in the Civic Stakes. Picture: Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

Jennings is also wearing the famous Godolphin royal blue colours on Destination in the Warren Woodcock Handicap (1100m).

Destination showed considerable promise last spring when he split brilliant colt Wild Ruler and subsequent Group 1 winner Forbidden Love in the Listed Heritage Stakes.

The three-year-old gelding is resuming at Randwick but looked in good shape when a close third in a recent barrier trial.

Jennings also partners the Lauri Parker-trained Torrens in the Garry Burgess Handicap (1600m) and trainer Matthew Smith’s import Flambeur in the Keith Free OAM Handicap (1800m).

Torrens, a four-year-old by Cox Plate winner Adelaide, is making his debut for a new stable and is possibly looking for further although has had the opportunity to ride him in two recent barrier trials.

Jennings doesn’t know a lot about former French stakeswinner Flambeur, who ran last at his Australian debut behind Mubariz at Rosehill earlier this month.

“I don’t do a lot of riding for Matthew Smith but this ride popped up and I’m happy to take it,’’ the jockey said.

With four rides at Randwick, Jennings is hoping his comeback to race riding gathers some winning momentum.

“I’m not really one to set goals, I just try to take everything as it comes, but I’m happy to be back riding again,’’ he said.

Mare to flick Switch

Switched is set to stage a monumental form reversal in the Warren Woodcock Handicap (1100m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Trainer Brad Widdup took encouragement from Switched’s last start effort even though the mare didn’t beat a rival to the line.

Widdup maintains all the signs are there that Switched is steadily returning to her best form.

“I’ve been really happy with her since Randwick last start,’’ said Widdup of Switched who led early before fading late in a 1200m sprint.

“We gave her a nice spell after she won two in a row last spring and she has had a bit of a mixed preparation this time.

“But Louise (Day, apprentice jockey) has ridden her a few times and she reckons the mare is right back on track.

“I can see that in her work on the track so I’m expecting her to run very well, particularly back to 1100m.’’

Switched is at her best over 1100m where she has won three races and been placed in another five from 11 attempts. The mare also races well at Randwick with five placings from six starts.

Even the wide barrier (14) doesn’t really concern Widdup so the mare looks good each way value at $21 in the Randwick closer.

“Often on a heavy track it is an advantage to draw a wider gate,’’ Widdup said.

“I’m pretty confident Switched is going the right way and she will be thereabouts at the finish.’’

Brad Widdup is expecting an improved showing from Switched. Picture: Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

Widdup only has two starters at Randwick but could easily “bookend” the meeting with Queen Bellissimo rated at $9 for the opening race, the Peter Kafataris Handicap (1300m).

Queen Bellissimo has won three of her four starts include successive Newcastle wins over 1250m and 1400m in recent weeks.

Widdup conceded he was not planning on sending Queen Bellissimo straight to Sydney Saturday class but the three-yea-old filly’s obvious ability demanded she be given her chance.

“I really like Queen Bellissimo but everything she has done so far has been on raw ability,’’ Widdup said.

“I didn’t want to come to town just yet but her win the other day was in tough conditions.

“She still has no idea about racing but she is just a very genuine filly and I don’t think I’ve got to the ‘bottom’ of her yet.’’

Queen Bellissimo, the first horse Widdup has trained for leading owner-breeder Gerry Harvey, has an admirable racing pattern where her early speed puts her up on the pace and out of trouble in her races.

“I try to let my horses find their own natural racing pattern and from day one she has been the type of filly to go forward and race on the speed,’’ Widdup said.

“She is still probably 12 months off from really getting there but it is hard to hold them back when there are suitable races in the city.

“Sometimes going up in grade helps them as well as they get experience against better quality opposition. I’m looking forward to watching how she goes in this grade at Randwick.’’

Originally published asComeback jockey keen to get back on winning path

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