Cylinder winning the Newmarket Handicap (Image: Racing Photos)
Beau Mertens will ride Newmarket Handicap winner Cylinder in Saturday's Group 1 William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley, just a week after his return from a six-week injury break.
The 26-year-old sustained cracked ribs and a hematoma to his kidney in a nasty fall at Stony Creek in February, before making his comeback last weekend with two rides at Caulfield.
And fewer than 24 hours after riding his first winner back, Gavin Bedggood's Furosshi at Kyneton, Mertens has been announced as Jamie Kah's replacement aboard Godolphin's star colt, who is looking for his second G1 win in two weeks.
His call-up is a reward for his excellent recent form, even considering his layoff, with Mertens going at a 20 per cent winning strike-rate from his past 50 rides.
Cylinder had no rider declared at acceptances on Tuesday, with Kah one of several key Melbourne hoops heading to Rosehill this weekend for the G1 Golden Slipper, in which she will partner Blue Diamond winner Hayasugi.
The son of recently retired stallion Exceed And Excel is a $5 chance to make it consecutive G1 wins on Saturday, with Newmarket runner-up Imperatriz a $1.65 favourite to turn the tables back at weight-for-age level.