Velka Pardubicka: Chance ride for an Australian jockey

An unexpected name has appeared on the list of runners and riders for the Velka Pardubicka alongside Marath, trained by Pavel Kinsky. Australian Paul Hamblin is an unknown quantity for for most people in the Czech Republic, and he was engaged to some extent by chance. "We found out from acquaintances that this Australian jockey was planning to visit the Czech Republic, and when Josef Sovka turned down the ride on Marath, we were able to engage the rider for the Velka Pardubicka. For both parties, this is a step into the unknown. However, Paul Hamblin will be spending the second half of the week in Pardubice, and will be carefully acquainting himself with the tricky aspects of the local racecourse.

"He is an experienced jockey who has ridden not only in Australia, but also in New Zealand and in the Brisith Isles," Kinský points out, expressing the hope that he will have in the saddle of Marath a jocky who, although of exotic origin, will be able to deal with the tricky aspects of the course. The race organisers are also hoping he will do well. Any success for the Australian would surely raise the international profile of the Velka Pardubicka.

(translated from the Czech-language pages of the Paddock Revue web site)