Adkins chasing rare air in Big Dance to build off career-best run

8 hours ago 3

By Craig Kerry

November 3, 2025 — 6.00pm

Jockey Andrew Adkins would like to push next year for a Melbourne Cup ride and tick it off his bucket list.

For now, though, he is more than happy to stay in Sydney and chase his biggest payday in a race where he has twice taken long-shots to a placing.

Vivy Air, right, and Andrew Adkins surging home to finish second in last year’s Big Dance.

Adkins will try to go one better with Ciaron Maher-trained Vivy Air in the $3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick on Tuesday, and he believes the mare is going better than last year when she charged to the line late to finish three-quarters of a length behind stablemate Gringotts.

A draw in 18 - 15 of 20 with emergencies out - appears the only negative for the five-year-old, which won the Big Dance Wildcard on October 18 at Randwick after a length second to Headley Grange first-up in the Cameron Handicap (1500m) at Newcastle. She meets Headley Grange, a $4.60 TAB second favourite in the Big Dance, two kilograms better off again on Tuesday.

Adkins rode her in the Cameron and was glad to be back aboard the consistent performer. Her win last start was her first in more than two years, but she had placed 11 times in that period, including six in stakes grade. A $26 shot last year, she was a $12 chance on Tuesday, with Gringotts ($3.10) the one to beat.

“I think Vivy Air is probably rolling into the race this year probably better than last year,” said Adkins, who was third on $19 chance Super Helpful in the 2023 edition.

“She’s been in more consistent form.

“Gringotts won last year and she was on the back of it, two starts back she was second on the back of Headley Grange, so she’s around the mark.

“It’s not a great draw, but she’s versatile. You can use her early to get a position. There looks to be plenty of speed in the race so hopefully we can find a handy spot.

“She ran so well last year and I just had to pick our way through. I’m expecting a similar run and hopefully she can go one better.”

He said consistency was a key factor in his 2024-25 season, which yielded a personal-best 65 winners, including two group 3s.

“It was the best season I’ve ever had,” Adkins said.

“I’ve been consistent, injury-free and just worked really hard, and I’ve had some good support behind me, which has really helped.”

The 28-year-old has had 11 wins this campaign and will add his biggest cheque to the list if Vivy Air can prevail. His best wins to date are the $1 million Golden Gift with Giselle in 2019 and the group 1 $600,000 Coolmore Classic with Daysee Doom in 2018.

A lightweight rider, he hopes to add a Melbourne Cup chance to his CV.

“I’ve been close a couple of times, but I think next year I really want to try to get a ride in it. Just tick it off the bucket list really,” he said.

“But it’s good Sydney has such good prizemoney. You can be comfortable just staying in Sydney and riding in very good races still.”

Adkins also has Strait Acer ($34) in the $750,000 consolation race, the Little Dance (1600m). The John O’Shea and Tom Charlton-trained gelding qualified with second in the Scone Cup in May but has been unplaced in three runs this preparation.

“His last two runs have probably been below average, but he has the cross-over [noseband] on this time,” he said.

“He’s been wanting to go a bit keen, so hopefully it just relaxes him a touch more and gives him a better finish.”

Roper eyes big move in Little Dance

Central Coast apprentice Anna Roper wants to get back in the spotlight of city racing and hopes country performer Tavros can help on Tuesday at Randwick by taking her to a career-best win.

Roper, 23, has picked up the ride on the Craig Martin-trained Tamworth galloper in the $750,000 Little Dance, despite not having use of her two-kilogram claim.

Apprentice jockey Anna Roper is hopeful of success at Randwick on Tuesday.

Tavros, with 52 kilograms and gate six, was an equal $4.60 (TAB) favourite after winning the Moree Cup, finishing second in the Dubbo Cup and third in the Coonamble Cup in his past three starts.

“It’s a great pick-up ride,” said Roper, who pilots Tavros for the first time.

“I’ve had a few great opportunities with no claim, but jumping on a country horse, it’s always nice to do it for the country trainers. To win a race like that would be unreal for him and myself.

“He looks like he’s a real hard-trier. He gets back a bit, but I read that Craig would like to be a bit more positive with him, so I just have to get him to jump cleanly and hopefully put him into the race to give him every opportunity.”

Roper came back from injury setbacks to ride 76.5 winners last season, including 23.5 in town for third in the apprentices’ title. She leads the premiership with seven, but she has had few chances during the spring carnival. She has potentially nine rides on Tuesday and hopes to make the most of the opportunities.

Roper has $126 long-shot Louie’s Legacy in the $3 million Big Dance but top hopes in the Highway Handicap with Petticoat ($1.90) and in the last with Sunrise ($4.80).

“We know Brisbane form coming into Highways is ideal, and he’s won a Highway before,” she said of Petticoat.

“The weight is an issue, but he only goes up a kilo and a half from his last win in a Highway. And he was pretty impressive that day. It looks his race on paper.

“[Sunrise] goes to a benchmark race this time, but she’s down in the weights and she’s only a little horse, so it helps with 53kg on her back.