Dee takes lightweight plunge in Sydney

Making the leap from an apprentice rider to senior ranks has hit home for Michael Dee.

The Melbourne-based former New Zealander outrode his claim last month and started life as a senior rider on December 24.

Based with Caulfield trainer Mick Price during his apprenticeship, Dee was highly sought after and importantly, could also ride light.

Unfortunately for Dee he was unable to pick up a ride at Saturday’s Caulfield meeting and so with the new 53kg limit weight in Sydney his manager switched his attention to Sydney.

The new weight minimum has helped Dee pick up the ride on Queensland three-year-old Sundance in the Summer Sprint at Warwick Farm for Toby Edmonds.

“I didn’t have any rides down here on Saturday so with the new light weights up in Sydney my manager chased the ride,” Dee said.

“So with that new 53 limit we got that ride but unfortunately I wasn’t able to get any more.

“We actually had more rides but when acceptances came out the weights went up, so then I lost them and I’ve only ended up with the one ride.”

Dee says he will consider looking at the Sydney scene more often if he struggles to get rides in Melbourne.

It will be Dee’s first trip to Warwick Farm and just the fourth time he has ridden in Sydney.

Dee rode Allergic into third place in The Metropolitan at his first Sydney ride in October.

He returned to ride the Ciaron Maher-trained Hazzabeel to second in the Festival Stakes at Rosehill on December 3 and to a midfield finish in the Group Two Villiers at Randwick two weeks later.

Dee had previous experience riding right-handed during his apprenticeship in New Zealand before joining Price.

While he may only have the one ride on Saturday, Dee enters the meeting hopeful Sundance, who is entered for the Magic Millions meeting at the Gold Coast on January 14, will prove to be a good one.

“Ive had a good look at his form,” Dee said.

“He looks a very consistent horse and he usually goes forward and leads and it would be good if Warwick Farm on Saturday is biased towards leaders.”