APPRENTICE jockey Josh Richards is adamant Class Clown's Wagga Gold Cup won't be hindered should his weather misfortune continue at Tuesday's Murrumbidgee Turf Club meeting.
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The seven-year-old's preparation was thrown off kilter when the Albury Cup was called off due to rain last month while 'plan B', the Tullibigeal Picnic Cup, was also washed out.
Class Clown still managed to earn direct entry into the Wagga Gold Cup by winning the Gundagai Cup on April 7, with second-year apprentice Richards delivering a flawless ride on the $21 chance just off the speed.
Richards said on Monday afternoon that trainer Chris Heywood was considering scratching Class Clown from today's Wagga Stayers Series Heat (2000m) after after the city received 25mm of rain on Sunday night.
Heywood didn't return calls on Monday, but Richards said Class Clown's Gundagai Cup victory after a month off racing showed he can tackle the Wagga Gold Cup fresh.
"With the wet track and the big weight, he might want to keep him fresh," Richards said.
"He's got 60.5 (today), whereas in the Cup he might get around 54. He doesn't mind it heavy, he just doesn't quite like it soft.
"Whether he runs or not (today) it won't affect him (for the Cup) either way."
Richards, an apprentice to Wagga trainer and Heywood's cousin Scott Spackman, is preparing for the biggest race of his career so far in the Wagga Cup.
The 24-year-old said the faith Heywood has placed in him to ride on the big day has been a huge confidence boost.
"It's good to get your name out there in these big races," Richards said.
"He's given me a go and trusts me to ride the horse. I'm lucky things are paying off.
"He (Class Clown) will give them a run for his money if he's right on the day. You've just got to put him in the race and make him want to do it, get his mind on the job."
Heywood said after the Gundagai Cup win that Richards had earned the right to get a chance in his hometown Cup.
"He's done a good job on him and it's a good experience for him, as well as us," Heywood said.
"I'm pretty loyal when it comes to things like this, he did the job and got him in there.
"His mentor's my cousin, he comes over and rides two or three for me of a morning when he finishes over there.
"He's a good kid and has got a bright future."
Richards is also booked to ride another Heywood runner Kruanui in Tuesday's final race, the Benchmark 58 Handicap (1200m).
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