Darren Gauci back in the groove

Friday 17 July 2015, 3:36pm

Darren Gauci has made an impact at the past two Saturday city meetings and is looking to keep the run going at Flemington.

The veteran jockey had ridden just one city winner in Melbourne for the season until two weeks ago but has added three more at the past two Saturday meetings.

A winning double at Caulfield two weeks ago was followed up by a Listed win on two-year-old Automatic Choice in the Taj Rossi Series Final last Saturday at Flemington.

"The last month has been pretty good," Gauci said.

"It makes a difference when you get on a couple of horses that are in the market.

"It does your confidence good and it's nice to be back riding winners in town."

Gauci has five Flemington rides on Saturday headed by Godolphin juvenile Demonstrate who is the $3.70 equal favourite in the opening race, The Flemington Family Handicap (1200m).

Gauci won on the John O'Shea-trained Demonstrate last start at Mornington where the gelding controlled the race from the front to break his maiden.

"He's a nice horse," Gauci said.

"He jumped and led the other day with blinkers on for the first time and he did the job pretty easily.

"I think it would be nice to hopefully get a trail on Saturday, I think he's probably a better chaser. I'm looking forward to riding him and I expect him to be competitive."

Gauci has ridden seven winners from 20 rides for O'Shea, largely at the provincials, this season.

Gauci won three Melbourne premierships while still an apprentice in the 1980s and added a fourth in 1995/96.

Opportunities have been harder to come by for the 49-year-old in recent years but he says he still loves riding and is as keen as ever.

Gauci's Flemington rides also include three-year-old filly Champagne Cocktail who is set to back up in the Chicquita Handicap (1400m) after a fourth in the Rivette Series Final last week.

"She's a nice filly and just keeps on improving," Gauci said.

– AAP

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