Champion jumps jockey Steven Pateman has put up his hand to ride promising jumper Big Blue in the $315,000 Grand Annual Steeplechase at Warrnambool on May 6.
Big Blue, winner of three of his four Australian jumping starts including the 2019 Galleywood Hurdle at Warrnambool before embarking on an unsuccessful overseas campaign, is back in work at trainer Ciaron Mahar’s Ballarat stables.
Dual licence-holder Pateman, 37, is riding and training under a stay of proceedings relating to cobalt findings. He schooled Big Blue over jumps a fortnight ago.
“I’d love to ride him in the Grand Annual,” he said.
“He’s come back into work stronger than he was previously. I’ve got no doubts he’ll run out the 5500 metres of the Annual and he loves wet tracks. He’s a very good jumper, as is shown by his record.
“Things just never went right for him when he went overseas but he’s right now.”
The three-time Grand Annual-winning jockey is looking forward to the 2021 jumps season with confidence after interruptions over the last couple of years.
“I’ve had a few weight issues over the last few years but I’m managing them,” he said.
“And like everyone else I found last season very frustrating because of COVID.
“I’m riding trackwork for Ciaron and been doing some work for Patrick Payne but Patrick looks likely to use Aaron Kuru as his main jumps jockey this season.
“I’ve had a lot of luck riding for Ciaron. We teamed up to win the 2011 Grand Annual with Al Garhood and I’m hoping we can do it again this year with Big Blue.
“My wife Jess and I have six jumpers in work so we’re going to be kept busy one way or the other.
“I’m really looking forward to this season. It’s my 19th as a jumps jockey and I’m confident that with a bit of luck I might be able to win another few features.”
Pateman has won the Tommy Corrigan Medal for the leading jumps jockey on eight occasions.
Small steps
Talented horseman Daniel Small is looking forward to following in the footsteps of his brother Braidon as a jumps jockey.
Daniel Small, who has been living in Warrnambool for 11 months after working with horses on the Gold Coast for more than 15 years, has applied for a jumps jockey’s licence. He needs to ride in a set number of jumpouts and trials before gaining it.
“I’d love to think I’ll get my ticket by the end of this season and I’ll be able to kick off the 2022 season as an apprentice jumps jockey,” he said.
“Braidon has been a big help to me. I’ve been coming down to Warrnambool on and off for about seven years and I just thought it’s the ideal time to have a crack as a jumps jockey.
“I’ve been riding a fair bit of trackwork for trainers like Quinton Scott. I’m really enjoying my time down here.”
The Smalls are sons of Cyril Small, who rode the legendary Vo Rogue to 22 wins.
Regret back a notch
Peter Chow will freshen up Paul’s Regret with an eye to late April following her sixth placing in the Grou 3 Frances Tressady Stakes at Flemington on Saturday.
The Warrnambool trainer said Paul’s Regret was held up and lost momentum at a vital stage of the 1400-metre race.
“The other issue might be she doesn’t run a strong 1400 metres in that class,” he added.  “It was a very good field she came up against on Saturday.
“She’s very honest. There’s some VOBIS Gold races in April and I think we’ll just give her a freshen-up and set her for those.”
Win and you’re in
A highweight over 3300 metres through the paddocks at Warrnambool on March 26 has been added to the “guaranteed start” races for this year’s Jericho Cup. The first Australian-bred horse over the line in this month’s race will gain entry into the rich Jericho Cup over 4600 metres on November 28.