Robbie not down about Queensland move

By Jordan Gerrans

Group-winning jockey Robbie Downey is closing in on a permanent move to the Sunshine State on the back of a strong period of winning form.

The Irishman nabbed a winner at the Gold Coast on Melbourne Cup day on top of the four he rode at Toowoomba and Warwick through October.

The 29-year-old has been Sydney-based in recent times but over the last few months has headed north to try and get his foot in the door. 

He has been busy riding trackwork on the Gold Coast – mainly for the Munce camp – and says he is likely to make the official move up soon. 

Downey heads to Kilcoy on Friday and believes he has another winning chance with Bavarian Lady in the Ratings Band 0 - 60 Handicap over 1900 metres.

“It is going ok, it was very, very tough to break in at the start,” Downey said.

“But, the Currie stable gave me the initial bit of support up here, they have been great to me and they have really stuck me on some nice horses with good chances.

“I was very grateful for the early bit of support from them.”

The well-travelled rider won aboard a promising debutant on Tuesday when former Hong Kong galloper Romantic Bubble scored in style on the Gold Coast Polytrack. 

Prepared by Melissa Kelly at the Gold Coast, Romantic Bubble was strong to the line as the four-year-old put five lengths on the field in the Maiden Plate over 1050 metres.

Romantic Bubble finished last in his only publicly available trial but was only beaten by two-and-a-half lengths.

The son of Epaulette showed all his talent on debut as he was well supported in the market.

“It was a very dominant performance,” the hoop said.

“He is a very big horse with plenty of scope and potential.

“He did it really easy, it was a really nice debut from him.

“Hopefully I will be able to stay on him and go through the grades.”

Downey rode in his native Europe as well as India – where he competed and won black-type races - and Bahrain before relocating to Australia around four years ago.

He initially set up camp in Melbourne before relocating north to Sydney.

He has mainly ridden on the provincial circuit around Sydney in recent times before heading to Queensland.

The rider has also visited Cairns to ride on occasions over the years, as well. 

The hoop has two rides at Kilcoy Race Club on Friday for Darling Downs trainer Mark Currie.

Downey partners with Bavarian Lady and stablemate Alpine Raider in the Ratings Band 0 - 55 Handicap over 1200 metres. 

He piloted Bavarian Lady at Clifford Park in the middle of last month with the mare hitting the line well to finish second over a staying trip. 

“I really fancy her,” he said of Bavarian Lady. 

“She ran a blinder the other day.

“She is a filly that takes a little while to wind up but once she switches leads in the straight, she really finds another gear.

“Hopefully if I am only a couple of lengths off them in the straight then she will be able to let down and finish over the top off them.”

Downey joins fellow Irishmen Robbie Dolan, Luke Dempsey, Ross O'Sullivan and Martin Harley, among others, that have made their mark in Queensland in recent times.