โShe was just a really nice girl. Itโs very sad.โ
Jockeys are set to wear black armbands for the country-only race on Saturday for Simpson, who had all but one of her wins in the bush.
Roper is down to ride Antilocapra for Scone trainer Rod Northam, but the mare needs two scratchings to make the field.
โItโs a very tough horse,โ said Roper, who rode Antilocapra to second in a Highway Handicap last start and a victory at Gunnedah two runs back.
โIts will to win is amazing. I had a really tough run on it that day at Gunnedah, but she gives you everything sheโs got. She got an awkward draw and needs a run, but sheโs definitely up to Highway grade. She proved that last prep.โ
Roper, who won on the Gary Portelli-trained Performance at Randwick on Friday, has her best chance on Saturday with another country galloper, the Brett Dodson-prepared Petticoat.
Roper took the mare to victory last start in a Highway Handicap. The four-year-old was a $5 (TAB) chance to successfully make the jump to benchmark 72 grade over 1100m from gate three.
โItโs a big step up into benchmark grade from Highway grade โ weโve seen it a number of times, and a lot of the time they canโt make that move โ but I think sheโs a class above, the way sheโs been winning,โ Roper said.
โSheโs drawn a nice alley, so I think sheโs a good chance, the way sheโs been putting them away under big weights.
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โSheโs very professional, very quiet and laid-back. I thought behind the gates there might have been something wrong [last start], but once she got in the gates, she bounced around and jumped well. Sheโs very fast and puts herself on the speed, so with that rail out, that should suit.โ
Roper also has hopes with the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained stakes performer Newfoundland ($8.50), which resumes off a 34-week spell and two trials in the ninth race.
โNever underestimate Gai Waterhouse horses first up,โ Roper said. โIโve done that before and Iโll never do it again. They are always fit and well.โ
