ON Wagga Gold Cup day last year, Brad Clark was just another face in the crowd.
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Rides on Wagga’s biggest day of the year are often hard to come by for local jockeys and no one knows that better than Clark.
A SDRA premiership winner in 2007-08 and with more than 15 years experience in the saddle, Clark has often been forced to watch on from the crowd on Cup day.
This year, Clark will return with a bang with four rides, including his first ride in the Gold Cup since he was an apprentice.
“It’s great. I think my wife (Michele) is more nervous than me at the moment, I’ll just take it as another ride you know,” Clark said.
“It’s great to have a ride for Peter Churche, he’s been a very big supporter of mine...so it would be just great to repay the favour to him (on Friday) and win one.”
Video Show is a $51 chance in the Cup as he faces a steep rise in class. In his favour is a love of his home track, where he has won three from six over the track and distance.
“I know the horse. I’ve ridden him pretty much every start, every morning, so I know the horse, know what he can do,” he said.
“I reckon he’s a chance. He’s probably going to be at big odds but he’s definitely not the worst in the race.
“There is a few Sydney horses that have been running in group races of late...but they have got to travel to Wagga, and my horse just has to walk across the road.
“He doesn’t know what kind of field he’s up against so as long as he gives me 100 per cent I’ll be happy.“
Clark thanked his wife Michele, and daughters Imogen, who turned 13 on Thursday, and Molly.