Karis Teetan will chase Group One glory in Australia when he teams up with talented colt Gatsby’s in Saturday’s Newmarket Handicap (1,200m) at Flemington.
The Hong Kong-based Mauritian rider will make his fourth trip to Melbourne after riding in Group Ones the Melbourne Cup (3,200m), Cox Plate (2,040m) and Caulfield Cup (2,400m) late last year.
While he didn’t boot home a winner on those trips, with a second at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate day his best result, Teetan put himself on the radar of Australian trainers as a lightweight option for major races.
That led to the opportunity from champion trainer Chris Waller to ride Gatsby’s, who carries just 50kg as a three-year-old under weight-for-age conditions in the Newmarket.
Karis Teetan celebrates a recent win at Happy Valley.
The son of Snitzel has won two of his eight starts, with a dominant victory in last year’s Listed Rosebud (1,100m) at Rosehill the highlight.
He also has experience down the Flemington straight, running a solid fifth to Switzerland in the Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes (1,200m) last November, and returned from a spell with a fast-finishing third in the Group Three Eskimo Prince Stakes (1,200m) at Randwick last month.
“He’s a pretty handy horse, he ran very well in the Coolmore back in the spring and he’s a multiple Group winner,” Waller said.
“He gets his opportunity with a light weight.”
That's a MORE than great win to Gatsby's in the Listed Rosebud today! 🌹@cwallerracing @mcacajamez pic.twitter.com/S3iCW0rMZ2
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 17, 2024
Gatsby’s has drawn barrier 15, which can be an advantage down the Flemington straight.
He is expected to start a double-figure chance, while Waller will also saddle up one of the leading contenders in Joliestar.
The Group One-winning mare has had no luck in recent starts, including last time out when she was checked and stranded wide without cover when third in the Group Two Expressway Stakes (1,200m) at Randwick.
She has not raced down the Flemington straight but appeared to handle it well in a jump-out last week when she beat Traffic Warden and Gatsby’s.
Newmarket Handicap contenders Traffic Warden, Joliestar & Gatsby's familiarised themselves with the Flemington straight this morning ahead of next Saturday's Group 1 👀@FlemingtonVRC pic.twitter.com/mqPXEOwYKG
— Racing.com (@Racing) February 27, 2025
“She just needs a bit of confidence and a bit of luck, so we thought bringing her down to Flemington to run in the Newmarket would be a good idea,” Waller said.
“She is certainly good enough in our opinion. Obviously it’s a different style of racing, but one that she should adapt to.”
The Newmarket is one of 12 overseas races simulcast by the Jockey Club on Saturday, with five races from New Zealand Derby day at Ellerslie and four races from the Canterbury Stakes meeting at Randwick also among the offering for betting.
The Group One All-Star Mile (1,600m) will also attract plenty of attention at Flemington, with Mr Brightside chasing a 10th victory at the elite level before a likely trip to Hong Kong for Champions Day in April.
