Written by Paul Vettise
Former star jockey turned successful trainer Nick Ryan is confident his well-performed import Dice Roll (Fr) (Showcasing {GB}) can turn back the clock in the spring and make a successful return to Group level.
As a past winner of Champion Australian Apprentice and senior Victorian Jockeys’ Premiership titles, Ryan is well-qualified to judge the merits of newcomer Dice Roll, who he regularly rode in trackwork until more recent times.
Ryan underwent a successful hernia operation earlier this week and expects to return to the saddle in about six weeks and will be couch-bound on Saturday when Dice Roll steps out in the Brian Beattie H. at Flemington.
“I’m a bit the worse for wear and very much on light duties. We’ve got a good team going to Flemington and I’ll be happy with one winner and anything more than that will be a bonus,” he said.
“Dice Roll is an exciting horse and my word he trialled well at Flemington a couple of weeks ago. He’s trained on really well and the track will have some cut in it.
“Dice Roll is an exciting horse and my word he trialled well at Flemington a couple of weeks ago.” – Nick Ryan
“He will really appreciate that and he might be able to go to a new level with the sting out of the track. After Saturday, there is the Listed Winter Championship at Flemington in two weeks and that looks a good race for him.”
Dice Roll won four of his first five starts before he finished third in the G1 French 2000 Guineas and was purchased by Hong Kong interests, but failed to acclimatise there and is now in the ownership of Goldin Farms Principal Pan Sutong.
The chestnut was given a lengthy break on his relocation to Australia and is unbeaten in two starts for Ryan.
“I train a fair few horses for Goldin Farms and this horse had been there in the paddock for 18 months,” he said.
“I train a fair few horses for Goldin Farms and this horse (Dice Roll) had been there in the paddock for 18 months.” – Nick Ryan
“My stepfather Jeff Gordon is Goldin Farms’ global racing manager and he said we should bring him back into work for another crack and thankfully that’s what has happened.
“He’s a Group horse and could be at weight-for-age. He’ll have a freshen-up after the Winter Championship and that will do him the world of good, he’s a spring contender for sure.”
Dice Roll (Fr) (white and gold silks) | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
Stablemate Grand Pope (More Than Ready {USA}) will step out in the Listed AR Creswick S. and Express Pass (Wandjina) in the Murray Cox H.
“There’s been steady rain here at Flemington and I think all my runners will appreciate getting their toes into the ground so hopefully all the stars align,” Ryan said.
Grand Pope was a winner two runs back and Express Pass has placed in consecutive outings since resuming off a break.
