Tom Marquand excited for latest Sydney stint

Top English jockey Tom Marquand has already captured a trio of Group 1 races in Australia courtesy of Addeybb and he is looking to add to his tally when he returns for another Sydney sojourn.

Nicknamed ‘Aussie Tom’, Marquand has become an autumn carnival fixture in recent seasons and kicks off his latest stay at Randwick on Saturday when he partners Zou Tiger for John O’Shea in the Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m).

In a video tweeted by Racing NSW, Marquand said he was excited for his latest visit and hoping he and Addeybb’s trainer William Haggas could again make their mark.

Haggas is bringing four horses to Sydney and along with that quartet, Marquand is hoping to pick up some plum rides for local trainers.

“I’m obviously really looking forward to getting down once again after the successes of the last couple of stints down there,” Marquand said.

“This year can hopefully follow suit.

“William (Haggas) is going to be sending a few horses down, which is fantastic. (We have) tough shoes to fill following up from Addeybb, but he is sending Dubai Honour, Purplepay, Protagonist and Earl Of Tyrone, so a really strong team.

“I’m looking forward to getting as many rides aboard Australian horses as I can and looking forward to getting my back in the sun a bit.

“Hopefully it can be a big autumn carnival.”

Marquand will make a light start to his Sydney visit.

He was booked for four rides but could end up with just one with Godolphin scratching two-year-old Zulfiqar from Randwick in preference for a race in Melbourne.

Hardware Lane has yet to be withdrawn at the time of writing but is due to race at Albury on Thursday, while Marquand’s remaining mount, Feel The Knight, is also a dual acceptor for Friday’s Randwick Kensington meeting.

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