The last time jockey Michael Dee was aboard a Group 1 winner he was far from being the punter’s pal.
Earlier in the year, Dee partnered with $301 shot Lunar Fox in the Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington landing one of the biggest shock results in Australian racing history.
With five Group 1 wins to his name, Dee is looking to add to that tally when he partners Duais in the Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday.
Duais is not the favourite for Saturday’s race, and no rank outsider, currently a $19 chance with TAB, but Dee has faith in the mare having won the Group 3 Coongy Cup (2000m) at Caulfield on Wednesday.
The Coongy Cup has in recent years reverted to being the last hope of gaining a Caulfield Cup start, but that wasn’t the case for Duais who was safely in the field courtesy of her placing in the Australian Oaks and victory in the Queensland Oaks earlier in the year.
Wednesday’s run was about giving the mare a look at Caulfield which her trainer Edward Cummings said would be more beneficial than giving her a look at the circuit in a track gallop.
“She didn’t need to have a gut-buster, that’s for sure,” Dee said.
“I galloped her on the Saturday morning, she galloped well, and I was confidently she could win.
“Although she won, she had to pull out a bit late, but she certainly didn’t have that hard run.”
Dee said Duais has the attributes to win the 2021 Caulfield Cup and become the first since Ethereal to claim the Queensland Oaks – Caulfield Cup double 20 years ago.
Ethereal went on the capture that year’s Melbourne Cup and has a race named after her on Saturday’s program for three-year-old fillies.
Dee chased the ride on Duais when it became apparent Sydney jockeys would not be coming down and got the nod to ride the filly at 51kg.
A natural lightweight, Dee said he invariably picks up a ride around the 50kg in the big spring handicaps.
Dee said Duais’ biggest attribute was her toughness.
“She loves to relax and gets into a nice rhythm plus she’s got a quick turn of foot at the end of the trip,” Dee said.
“She’s a classy mare and she showed that in her three-year-old year.
“She’s very tough, she takes all the work that she’s given and she’s an out and out stayer.”