- Billy Slater to be part of Channel 9’s Melbourne Cup coverage
- Footy great, 41, was a trackwork jockey as a youngster
- Slater hopes to interview jockeys while in the saddle
Footy legend Billy Slater has confirmed he will be part of Channel 9’s coverage of the Melbourne Cup next month – and will conduct post-race interviews with jockeys while in the saddle at Flemington.
But NRL fans don’t need to fear for his safety – Slater is far from a novice when it comes to the sport of kings.
As a teenager, the Queensland Origin coach famously worked as a trackwork rider for decorated trainer Gai Waterhouse in Sydney – and he owns numerous horses.
Slater and his wife Nicole also manage Slater Thoroughbreds, a high-end breeder of pedigree runners.
The Melbourne Storm great is relishing the opportunity, which comes after Nine secured broadcast rights for the race that stops a nation until 2029.
‘It’s going to be so exciting to be on the team for the Melbourne Cup Carnival,’ Slater said on Today.
‘I’ll get in behind the barriers [at Flemington] and talk to some of the jockeys after they win some of the biggest races of their life.
‘I might find myself on a horse and get out there amongst it and give the viewers an insight into what they are thinking.
Footy legend Billy Slater will be part of Channel 9’s coverage of the Melbourne Cup in November – and will also conduct interviews with jockeys while in the saddle at Flemington
As a teenager, the Melbourne Storm great (pictured) and Queensland Origin coach famously worked as a trackwork rider for decorated trainer Gai Waterhouse
Slater and his wife Nicole (pictured) manage Slater Thoroughbreds, a high-end breeder of pedigree horses
‘Then also how emotional it can be after a race and talking to the jockeys that work so hard to get there.’
Slater recently revealed his weight as a youngster ensured he wasn’t going to forge a career as an elite hoop.
‘Horse racing is something I have always had a passion for,’ Slater told News Corp.
‘I was 16 years old….I finished Grade 11, left school and I was living down in Sydney on my own and working for Gai [Waterhouse].
‘That was a real eye-opener. To see the operation of a high-quality trainer like Gai, it probably helped me subconsciously when I went on to pursue an NRL career.
‘I was [also] about 70kg when I was 16, so I was never going to be a jockey.’
Meanwhile, Eddie McGuire is poised to lead Channel 9’s coverage of the Melbourne Cup carnival, while the network is also believed to have secured the services of champion jockey Michelle Payne.
She famously won the great race in 2015 on board Prince of Penzance, who was rated a 100/1 chance in the 24-strong field over 3200 metres.
The Melbourne Cup Carnival begins with the Victoria Derby on Saturday, November 2, with the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday, November 5.
