‘Jockeys are made of different stuff’: Support flows for injured hoop’s miracle Melbourne Cup bid

Jockey Rachel King admires fellow hoop Harry Coffey’s desperate effort to ride Shockletz in the Melbourne Cup after injuring his collarbone in a fall on Saturday and is confident he won’t take the ride unless he knows he can perform at his best.

The Sydney-based rider, who is aboard So You Are in the Cup, said Coffey had the support of jockeys as he tried to get his body right for the race.

“All credit to him if he can definitely get there by tomorrow,” King said on Monday.

“They always say jockeys are made of different stuff, and he’s kind of proving that.

“I know how determined he will be to get back there. He won’t do it unless he can be there 100 per cent fit and healthy.”

Coffey, who won the Caulfield Cup on Duke De Sessa for Ciaron Maher in 2024, had a procedure on Sunday to fix the shoulder that he hurt when his mount Pondalowie clipped heels and tumbled in the Empire Rose Stakes.

Maher, who trains Shockletz, was prepared to keep the door ajar for Coffey to take the mount, which is considered a strong lightweight chance in the race.

Cup-winning jockey James McDonald said on Monday he understood Coffey’s mindset and his refusal to give up the battle to be fit.

“He’s tougher than most of us,” McDonald said.

“It’s like a grand final for us … we get up for anything.”

Coffey rode Port Guillaume into 21st place in the 2021 Cup and finished 14th on Grand Promenade in 2022.

Michael Dee is on standby to take the mount if Coffey’s bid fails.