Philpot excited about Darwin Cup opportunity

The 26-year-old will take the plum ride on Highly Decorated in Monday's $200,000 Darwin Cup (2050m) at Fannie Bay.

Philpot, formerly apprenticed to Kyneton trainer Mick Sell, has had more than 950 rides across Australia for 85 wins, but said this was by far her biggest opportunity.

She will be aboard one of the main hopes, with Highly Decorated second in line in early betting behind only 2021 Alice Springs Cup winner I Am the Fox for Darwin trainer Garry Lefoe.

Philpot has established a near-impeccable record since teaming up with the Nicole Bruggemann-trained four-year-old.

Together they have won five-straight races over distances ranging from 1300m to 1600m.

The gelding has won six-consecutive races in total, with the first of them coming with Alice Lindsay in the saddle before Philpot took over the reins for his next five starts.

Philpot, the daughter of former jockey and trainer Gus Philpot and the late Donna Philpot - also a former jockey - could not be more grateful to Bruggemann for keeping the winning partnership intact for the $200,000 feature.

"I can't really tell you how excited I am. Obviously, we won't know until Monday how it all pans out, but it's just an amazing opportunity," she said.

"It's easily the biggest race I've ridden in and his (Highly Decorated's) journey has been absolutely phenomenal.

"I've never ridden a horse who has won five in a row, or ridden one in five-straight wins. He's won six all up, but I've won the last five on him. It's very exciting.

"I can't thank Nicky (Bruggemann) enough for keeping me on a horse like Highly Decorated. Kudos to her as I don't really get these opportunities very much.

"He's been amazing to ride; such a lovely, quiet horse. Hopefully he goes well on Monday.

"Win, lose or draw, we'll be happy with the result I'm sure. If he gets everything right, top three is a chance."

Much like his much-travelled jockey, who is one of a handful of current-day riders to have notched a win in each of Australia's states and territories, Highly Decorated is a genuine feel-good story.

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Less than three months ago, the four-year-old, by dual-Group 1 winner Epaulette out of Lolavie, had a single win alongside his name from 14 starts, with his maiden victory coming at Scone in New South Wales in May of last year.

Following a second change of trainer, he followed the South Australian Bruggemann north to the Northern Territory in April and has not looked back since.

Having his first start in Darwin on April 16, Highly Decorated finished third in a benchmark 54 over 1300m, with Philpot aboard.

He broke through for his second career win at his next start in a class two over 1300m, when ridden by Lindsay.

With Philpot back on-board, he made it back-to-back wins in a benchmark 0-70 before going on to win another four-straight.

His most recent success in the Chief Minister's Cup (1600m) on July 10, in which he defeated the Darwin Cup favourite I Am the Fox, catapulted Highly Decorated into Cup calculations.

If there is one query on him, it's the 2000m distance.

Highly Decorated is yet to race beyond 1600m, but Philpot, however, remains confident he can stay the trip.

Their chances were enhanced at Thursday's barrier draw with the horse to jump from gate one on Monday.

"It's always an interesting race, it will just depend on the speed in it and wherever I land," Philpot said.

"I know him (Highly Decorated) pretty well by now and I am very confident in the horse, but obviously the big question mark is whether he can run out the 2000m.

"That's a big question mark, but Nicky is confident and so is her team quietly confident.

"I think he can do it, but we'll see what happens on Monday."

Philpot, who is based in Alice Springs as the stable rider for Greg Connor and has 17 wins since her arrival, believes her move interstate could not have panned out better.

"I've had a good trot of late and Greg has really looked after me. He is a great guy to work for and everything he promised me before I moved he's delivered on," she said.

"He gives me the opportunity to fly to Darwin and ride there as well.

"He's very understanding and I know the stable has some nice horses coming through which is exciting."

While she did not have the ride, Philpot was rapt this week to see Carlingford win in Darwin on Wednesday.

The seven-year-old gelding was previously trained by Philpot's former boss Sell and is still owned by a group that includes Mick and Mel Sell, but is in the hands of another Kyneton trainer Neil Dyer while campaigning up north.

Philpot rode Carlingford in two of his wins and four placings back in Victoria, with his latest in Darwin the 10th victory of his career from 70 starts.

Dyer, a three-time Darwin Cup winner, will saddle up the top-weight Kaonic in Monday's race.

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