Rivals in awe of ‘fearless’ jockey set to ride in Cup days after horror fall
It could become the craziest story of the Lexus Melbourne Cup and rival jockeys are in awe of Harry Coffey’s attempt to ride in the great race.
Just days after fracturing his collarbone, the 31-year-old is leaving no stone unturned in a bid to saddle up Shockletz on Tuesday afternoon.
Harry Coffey after Saturday’s fall. Getty Images
Coffey was thrown from Pondalowie in the Empire Rose Stakes on Saturday and while he did escape relatively unscathed – as did the horse – few could have expected he would be pushing to ride in the Cup three days later.
“I’m very confident I’ll be right by tomorrow,” he told SEN on Monday morning.
“Surgery has worked. Have a couple more conversations today with doctor and surgeon before given the all clear. Very positive about the situation.”
It would be a remarkable story if Coffey, who is set to carry 51kg, can remain on board local hope Shockletz in the $10 million classic.
Speaking to media on Monday, superstar jockey James McDonald explained why Coffey and other riders would do anything in their power to race in the Cup.
“He’s tougher than most of us,” McDonald said.
“Obviously it’s like a grand final for us jockeys, trainers – this is the race that stops the nation, so we’ll get up for anything.”
Rachel King, who will be on board So You Are after four-straight wins, echoed those sentiments and lauded the “amazing” effort from Coffey.
“If he can get there by tomorrow, it’s amazing – they always say jockeys are made of different stuff, and he’s proving that,” she said.
“I’ve been through a few injuries myself and I know how hard it is, but I know how determined he’ll be to get back there, and he won’t do it unless he can be there 100 per cent fit and healthy ... it’s just amazing what he’s going through.
“It just proves how much it means to us jockeys.”
Leading trainer Bjorn Baker heaped praise, not only on Coffey, but the entire jockeys’ room for their “fearless” nature every time they compete.
“Harry Coffey is remarkably tough, and he’s a great person,” Baker said.
“He’s just resilient and tough as teek. They are pound-for-pound the toughest, most fearless and best sportsmen in the world and I do not say that lightly.
“What they do, what they risk, they are unbelievable athletes.”
Harry Coffey with the 2024 Caulfield Cup trophy. Getty
Coffey is one of Victoria’s leading jockeys and won the Caulfield Cup two years ago with Duke De Sessa, but is still chasing an elusive win in the country’s most famous race and Shockletz would give him the best chance to make it happen.
The talented Ciaron Maher-trained mare has won seven races in 20 career starts and is rated an $11 chance with bookies. The five-year-old won the Lexus Archer Stakes earlier in the spring and ran a close second last start in the Tesio Stakes.
Should the tough Coffey be ruled out, Michael Dee is on standby for the ride.
