A bag of lemon sherberts could be Flemington jockeys’ room currency for European rider Thore Hammer-Hansen in the build-up to the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday.
The well-travelled Danish jockey, based in Germany, has relied on race replays and form study to prepare to ride Flatten The Curve, trained by Henk Grewe, in the Cup.
Hammer-Hansen, who boasts international experience in France, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Sweden, Dubai, US and Japan, has only walked the Flemington track.
• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet’s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Hammer-Hansen rode two winners on his first visit to Japan mid-year and won the World All-Star Jockeys Competition at Sapporo Racecourse.
Champion Australian jockey Craig Williams was runner-up to Hammer-Hansen.
“I sat next to Craig actually in the (Sapporo) jockeys’ room,” Hammer-Hansen said.
“He was a big help to me, put me under his wing … he’d been there a few times and he gave me a lemon sherbert, so I got introduced to Australian snacks.
“We got along really nicely and I’m really looking forward to seeing him again.”
• ‘It was almost eerie’: McNeil’s biggest moment – and no one was there
Hammer-Hansen has also shared a jockeys’ room in Dubai with James McDonald.
“I’ve been able to pick up some small things and really looking forward to seeing what it’s like really (race conditions),” Hammer-Hansen said.
Of the four fly in jockeys booked to ride in the Cup on Tuesday, only American-based John Velazquez has a ride early on the card at Flemington.
Hammer-Hansen, Stephane Pasquier (Presage Nocturne) and Wayne Lordan (Goodie Two Shoes) step out only in the Cup.
Pasquier rode in the Caulfield Cup last month, while Lordan has ridden in Melbourne Cups past and Group 3 and Listed races at Flemington previously.
Hammer-Hansen, who attended Derby Day at Flemington, welcomed the challenge to adapt to the “unique” Australian racing style.
“The guys here tend to race really tight and come wide off the bend, which obviously you don’t really tend to do in Europe,” Hammer-Hansen said.
“You’re probably going to have to make your move a bit soon and find the right horse to follow but it’s nothing I’m really scared of doing, I think I’ll fit into that just fine.”
• J-Mac sacrifices in search for second Melbourne Cup success
Hammer-Hansen’s father and grandfather were jockeys, the latter also trained in Germany, so racing is in the blood.
The Dane had a decision to make early, being scouted for the national football team, but racing ultimately won out.
Flatten The Curve is a $21 wildcard, with wins from 2400m to 3700m.
The jetsetting five-year-old raced consistently without much success in France originally but thrived since being transferred to Grewe in Germany.
His only loss under Grewe was in the Cup-qualifying Belmont Gold Cup at Saratoga, New York, in June, when fourth behind now Flemington challenger Parchment Party.
A complete forgive and forget as the Group 3 was switched to dirt and cut to 2800m less than an hour before the start, as the wet weather waterlogged the turf circuit.
Flatten The Curve rebounded with 3200m-3300m Listed wins in Germany and the US before being freshened for a Melbourne Cup mission.
“He looks to be in great shape and he feels a little bit better than what he did before America, so I’m really pleased,” Hammer-Hansen said.
“It’s hard for me as well, to work out the form, from what I’ve been able to notice so far I think he fits into the Melbourne Cup perfectly.
“He’s got all the attributes to run a good race, switches off nicely, he definitely stays, he’s got a good turn of foot, the question is whether he’s good enough to compete against the internationals and Australian horses here.
“Everything so far has been going in our favour so, I’m really hopeful he’ll run a good race … I’m excited to see where he takes us.”
• Operation Al Riffa: How Australian Bloodstock landed its newest Cup prospect
Hammer-Hansen, set to complete a hat-trick of jockey premierships in Germany after stints in the UK and France, said Flatten The Curve has handled all track conditions.
“The slower the ground the better for us,” Hammer-Hansen said.
“From what I’ve seen, there’s a couple horses (in the Cup) that aren’t certain to stay and I think that will play in our favour.
“He’s gone on ground that was absolutely rattling (fast) and done the opposite as well, on knee deep ground, he’s very versatile on anything you put him through.”
■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Meydaan trainer backs J-Mac
UK trainer Ed Crisford has deferred to champion jockey James McDonald to plot a path to victory aboard Meydaan on Tuesday in the Melbourne Cup at Flemington.
Meydaan could not be in better shape going into the 3200m marathon but Crisford lamented barrier 22.
Crisford, who trains in partnership with father Simon, booked McDonald after the Caulfield Cup last month.
McDonald has cut to 54kg to partner Meydaan on Tuesday, a sign of the jockey’s intent given the 2021 Melbourne Cup-winner rarely rides below 55kg.
“The horse is off a great weight and we’ve got a brilliant jockey,” Crisford said.
“Everything about this, two miles will suit for sure … we got to see how we go from that gate really, it’s up to J-Mac.
“Nothing I can do, there should be a bit of pace in the race and hopefully he can slot in, get a good sit somewhere and take it from there.”
Crisford echoed McDonald’s assessment early in the week that Meydaan struggled to get around Caulfield and would be better suited at Flemington.
Meydaan has won only two of 14 starts but placed on four occasions.
The four-year-old Frankel gelding has yet to be tested beyond 2400m but Crisford said the distance should not be an issue.
“We always thought he wants the trip,” Crisford said.
“He never let himself do it as a three-year-old because he was always over-racing and doing things the wrong way around, now he’s growing up he’s showing he’s settling and now he’s good to do this trip.
“I’m extremely confident the two miles will be absolutely perfect for him.”
Crisford conceded a Heavy track would be “unknown territory” for Meydann.
“What we call Good to Soft or Soft (be) your Soft 5-6, I think we’ll be fine, when it starts getting worse than that I think we’ll be in unknown territory,” Crisford said.
Meydaan drifted in betting on Monday, $15 out to $26.
Originally published as Danish jockey Thore Hammer-Hansen says German raider Flatten The Curve ‘has all the attributes’ for Melbourne Cup
Read related topics:Melbourne
