Ernie on the march to the throne

By Jordan Gerrans

Former jockey Ernie Marchant says working with a couple of horses on the Gold Coast is a positive boost for his mental health as he has high hopes for impressive youngster On The Throne. 

The three-year-old gelding was a smart trial winner in the middle of June when he was prepared by Marchant’s wife Gaye Gauci-Marchant. 

On The Throne has since been transferred into Marchant’s training name as fellow former jockey Gauci-Marchant has battled ill health in recent times. 

Gauci-Marchant still gives her husband a hand around their stables at Aquis Park when she can. 

On The Throne debuted at the Gold Coast on Melbourne Cup day and despite being beaten by five lengths, the team were more than encouraged by the run. 

Former Hong Kong galloper Romantic Bubble blitzed the maiden field over 1050 metres on the Polytrack but Marchant was pleased with how his up-and-coming gelding hit the line. 

They produced the quickest last 600 metres across the program. 

“He is definitely on the right track and heading in the right direction,” Marchant said.

“I really believe next preparation once he has had a few runs and he knows what is going on, then that’s when we will see the best of him.

“He is still a bit green and is doing some things wrong. Our goal is setting him for the Magic Millions.”

On The Throne steps up to 1350 metres on Wednesday in town following his debut effort with top rider Jag Guthmann-Chester booked to steer. 

The son of Time To Reign was passed in at the Magic Millions sales before the husband-and-wife team picked him up through breeder Ben Griffiths.

Griffiths – who owns On The Throne’s mother Ruth's Secret – has remained in the three-year-old as a part-owner. 

Time To Reign won the Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes back in 2019 on a Soft 7 surface and Marchant says On The Throne is showing signs of appreciating the sting out of the ground. 

Doomben is rated as a Soft 6 as of Tuesday afternoon. 

The former jockey described On The Throne’s debut run earlier this month as ‘super’ and is keen to see him travel handier to the speed on Wednesday second-up. 

“He has got a really good motor, he just needs to catch up mentally,” he said.

“He is not without a chance on Wednesday; his work has been very well.

“I cannot have him any better than what he is going into this race. He found the line good on debut over an unsuitable distance.

“It will just be lack of experience that will hinder him on Wednesday. 

“With a few runs under his belt and another preparation, he will be a much, much better horse.”

While Marchant has only been training in his own name in recent weeks, he has been an assistant trainer for many years since he finished up in the saddle. 

Most recently he assisted his wife on the Gold Coast as well as Jason Patton. 

He was also a right-hand-man for experienced Victorian trainer John Sadler before heading north to the Sunshine State.

Marchant also has international riding and training knowledge following stints in Korea and Singapore.

Racing And Sports’ statistics display Marchant with 772 career victories with that number likely to be much higher if many of his international wins and early riding days were included.

He competed in numerous Group races across his tenure and last rode in a race in December of 2015.

“It is good for me and my mental health,” he said of being around the horses. 

“I had a pretty bad fall so I have been out of it for a long time, but it is really good for my mental health. It keeps me active.

“Just the couple of horses, it is good for us and Gaye still gives me a chop out.”

Gauci-Marchant tallied a few winners from their Gold Coast base before handing the reins to her husband earlier this year. 

Marchant is also preparing Galaxy Sunset who went around at the Gold Coast earlier this month.