Former jockey Natasha Eaton enjoying travelling around the world with her Prince

Quitting the saddle can be the toughest career decision for a jockey. Natasha Eaton has simply not looked back since making that call.

Eaton enjoyed 30 winners during an eight-year career on the Flat but a bad shoulder injury combined with a subsequent lack of opportunities led the rider to look at other career paths.

An opportunity arose when Charlie Fellowes advertised for a new travelling head groom. The rest is history.

Eaton said: "I enjoyed my time riding and rode some nice horses including a few winners for Tom Dascombe and Alan Bailey got me going, but I had a bad accident at Lingfield and ended up going all over the country for one or two rides after I rushed back.

"I had enough of it so approached Charlie about the travelling job and have never looked back."

In Prince Of Arran, Eaton has found the ultimate travel companion. Since January last year they have visited Dubai, America, Australia and Hong Kong and last month returned to Victoria for unfinished business in the Melbourne Cup.

Fellowes’ star stayer landed the Geelong Cup to secure his spot in the race that stops the nation and Eaton is hoping the six-year-old can improve on last year’s third.

Eaton said: "I have an amazing job and couldn’t do anything better. You create an incredible bond with a horse when looking after one for so long and Prince Of Arran is special to me.

"He is brilliant and a cheeky chap. I’m very hopeful going into the race and he’s been going around the training track very well. The celebrations would be amazing if he wins!"

Iridessa cheer for O’Brien team

Joseph O’Brien enjoyed a first Breeders’ Cup success on Saturday with Iridessa and it was much to the delight of his travelling team in Australia.

O’Brien currently has horses in the US, Australia, France, Italy and back home in Ireland with a team of five in Melbourne to look after his Melbourne Cup quartet.

It is a third consecutive trip for travelling head lad Mark Power, who is joined by MJ Doran [Latrobe's workrider], Sean Corby [Twilight Payment], Neil Bashford [Master Of Reality] and Christina Thompson [Downdraft].

Power, former apprentice to Kevin Ryan and Jessica Harrington, said: "I couldn’t get the race live on my phone but we’ve seen a replay and there was great excitement in the barn when we found out the result.

Iridessa and Wayne Lordan win the Filly & Mare TurfCredit: Edward Whitaker

"Joseph is a great trainer to work for and it’s a growing operation with the quality of horses improving all the time. Everyone just loves winners and when you have them all year round on the Flat, jumps and internationally it brings a great sense of enthusiasm and spirit around the yard."

O’Brien saddled winners in the US, Ireland and Australia on Saturday with Downdraft doing the business at Flemington and Power has fond memories of witnessing Rekindling land Australia’s main race two years ago.

Power, 28, said: "It was a fantastic day and you don’t realise how big an occasion it is until you’re in amongst it. It’s brilliant to come out here and Melbourne is a fantastic city – the weather is good and it’s great fun."

Mark Power: enjoying a third Spring Carnival trip to Melbourne

Is there another Rekindling among the O’Brien ranks this year? Power edges towards the Frankie Dettori-ridden Master Of Reality but feels there is very little in it.

Power said: "I would side with Master Of Reality but they’ve all got chances in their own right. Downdraft surprised us how well he won on Saturday and if he comes out of it in good form he could be an interesting runner.

"Latrobe has every chance and Twilight Payment is in great form and could be competitive if getting back to his peak."

Rain boost for Cup hopes

While we are not looking at heavy ground for the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday, the ground will be easier than the quick conditions that were anticipated.

The going on Victoria Derby day at Flemington eased to a description of Soft 7 after persistent rain – the equivalent of good to soft, soft in places in Britain – and more is forecast on Monday before an overcast Cup day.

Melbourne Cup morning was a washout last year so the forecast rain is a positive for 2018 winner Cross Counter, although it may not suit Japan’s hope Mer De Glace.

Mustajeer: rain would suit the Ebor winnerCredit: Racing Photos

One runner that rain certainly brings into contention is Ebor winner Mustajeer, who has form figures of 124134102 on ground easier than good.

Interestingly, his neck second in the Vintage Crop at Navan in April could provide a pointer to Australia’s highlight contest with the reopposing Master Of Reality, Southern France and Twilight Payment filling the first four places in a race named after the first European-trained winner of the Melbourne Cup.

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