3 minute read

Don't ever accuse Michael Mitchell of not being prepared to travel for a ride.

Recently returned from a trip to New York, where he was able to ride a highweight winner at Geneseo, Mitchell is straight into action for the jumps season with a trip to Riverton in the deep south for two rides on Thursday before returning for the jumps races at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Next Wednesday he will ride at Warrnambool before returning to New Zealand for two rides at Hastings the following day.

"It takes a bit of dedication because I'm already $200 down before I even start at Riverton but you've just got to do it," Mitchell said.

Mitchell combines with the Leda Beck-trained Drumreims in the Central Southland Freight Hurdles and with the Brian and Shane Anderton-trained High Forty in the Hazlett Contracting Steeples.

"High Forty should be a good winning chance," Mitchell said.

"He's proven himself down there and he looks like he'll be well worth travelling down there for. He's had a bit of flat racing and that should give him a fitness advantage and he should be able to have the edge on them."

Mitchell, who is riding freelance out of Cambridge having previously been linked with Hamilton trainer Graeme Rogerson, is excited about riding the Harvey Wilson-trained Venerate in the Porrit Sand Hurdle at Te Rapa on Saturday.

"He's proven at Te Rapa and he likes to run along a bit which should suit," Mitchell said.

"I rode him in a point-to-point at Waverley a couple of weeks ago and he went well. He's coming along nicely."

Mitchell has answered the call from TeAroha trainer John Steffert to pilot progressive jumper Back To Black in the Galleywood Hurdle at Warrnambool next Wednesday.

"I'm looking forward to riding him at Warrnambool. I fly over there for that race on the sixth [of May] but I'll be back to ride at Hastings on the seventh,' Mitchell said.