Another Japanese stint on the horizon for jockey Rachel King

Rachel King has barely had time to unpack this season, clocking up thousands of kilometres while chasing Group success across continents.

The milestone moment came in Japan, where she made history by becoming the first woman to ride a Grade 1 winner with Costa Nova’s victory in the February Stakes at Tokyo.

In recent weeks, she has been flying between Sydney and Queensland, notching wins across both states including a Listed success at Eagle Farm on The Inflictor for Craig Cousins.

“I have been up there most weeks during the carnival,” King said.

“It has felt like a long carnival going up and down every week but I had a couple of winners throughout. It was mixed results this year but it can be like that.

“It was great to get one for Craig Cousins last Saturday as he only has one or two in work.”

King is back at Rosehill this Saturday with eight scheduled rides, including two key mounts for Godolphin’s James Cummings stable.

One of her standout rides is Tarpaulin in the 50 Year and Life Member Handicap (1100m). The gelding has strong credentials, including a fourth in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes.

“For them to be aiming up in those kind of races last preparation shows that he showed them something at home,” King said.

“I always look forward to riding for the Godolphin team. He has taken a step down in grade a little bit to hopefully get a nice bit of confidence.”

Contemporary, another Godolphin runner, will contest the Listed Winter Stakes (1400m), a race King believes he’s well suited to.

“It has been a while since I’ve ridden him and he has been mixing his form, but he ran really well a couple of runs back so if he can bounce back to that, he can run well again,” she said.

Looking ahead, King will again ride in Japan for a month before returning to Australia for the start of the spring season, excited to reunite with Sydney Cup winner Arapaho.

“I go back to Japan in about two weeks for another month and I will be back before any of those good races start at the end of August,” she said.

“I am always happy for Arapaho to be back, especially after his super prep last prep. I can never go past him.”

To place your bets on Rachel King’s rides and other major races, check out Australia’s best bookies at justhorseracing.com.au.