Christophe Lemaire, one of the world’s most accomplished jockeys with 97 Group One wins across seven nations, is set to make his long-awaited debut in Sydney this weekend.

Although Lemaire is no stranger to Australian success—having won the 2011 Melbourne Cup aboard Dunaden—Saturday’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) will mark his first time riding in Sydney.

He’ll partner Japanese galloper Rousham Park in the $5 million feature and didn’t hesitate to accept the ride, even with another major meeting taking place in Japan.

“I have never had the opportunity (before). With the French horses, no opportunity and with the Japanese, no opportunity,” Lemaire said.

“There is also a big race in Japan this weekend but for me to ride in Sydney will be a new experience and this is very important for me.

“I always like to travel around and I think riding in Sydney, at least once in a jockey’s career, it’s something important.

“I’m lucky enough, I won the Melbourne Cup once. Sydney is also a major city for horse racing in Australia and here are the best jockeys and the top horses so I’m really looking forward to riding here.”

Rousham Park, trained by Hiroyasu Tanaka, has already shown promise at the international level, with Lemaire guiding him to four wins from seven rides, including a strong second-place finish behind Rebel’s Romance in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf.

“It was a very good experience for him travelling to America,” Lemaire said.

“He performed very well in the Breeders’ Cup. He is used to racing on a right-hand racecourse. He is quite adaptable.”

Lemaire arrived in Sydney from Dubai earlier this week and reconnected with Rousham Park in a trackwork session at Canterbury. Saturday’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes will be his only ride at Randwick.

“I have a very good souvenir from Australia winning the Melbourne Cup in 2011 with Dunaden,” he said.

“Hopefully this weekend it will again be a good result for Rousham Park and all the connections.”