Well-travelled jockey Louis Beuzelin has made an almost perfect start to his Australian career with a Randwick victory aboard the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained So United at just his second local ride.
Originally from Barbados, Beuzelin has ridden around the world, most recently in Singapore before heading to Australia six weeks ago.
He said he was keen to make his latest move permanent.
"I've been watching Australian racing with a keen eye for many years and I was trying to come last year but my wife was pregnant and I had to do some parenting and here I am," Beuzelin said.
"Adrian Bott and Gai Waterhouse, they reached back to me when I showed my intention to come here.
"Things are going well and I'll just keep working and hopefully get some more rides outside as well and some good opportunities."
Classy win by So United 👌 @Louis_Beuzelin gets his first win in Australia 👏
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) December 23, 2023
What a day for @GaiWaterhouse1 and Adrian Bott 👌 pic.twitter.com/H6GiXF1VTC
Beuzelin's first ride was for Anthony Cummings at Canterbury last week where he finished fifth on Avonview.
He was thrilled to get the job done on So United ($13) for Waterhouse and Bott in Saturday's Vale Mr Alan 'Jock' Gollogly Handicap (1800m), even if he had to go against riding instructions to do it.
"They wanted me to sit behind his stablemate, Too Much Caviar, but my fellow jumped out so well and the inside horse was taking me on, so I just thought, I'll let my one slide on and get in a rhythm and that's what I did," he said.
"I know the horse, I had the privilege of galloping him and trialling him and I know he can go all day."
The race was named in memory of Newcastle racing personality Gollogly, who died earlier this week after a battle with illness, with the jockeys wearing black armbands in his honour.