- Billy Slater to be part of Channel 9’s Melbourne Cup coverage
- Footy Great, 41, was a track jockey when he was young.
- Slater hopes to interview jockeys while in the saddle
Football 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 Flemington.
But NRL fans need not fear for their safety – Slater is far from a rookie when it comes to the sport of kings.
As a teenager, the Queensland Origin trainer worked as a track jockey for decorated trainer Gai Waterhouse in Sydney, and owns numerous horses.
Slater and his wife Nicole also run Slater Thoroughbreds, a breeder of high-end pedigree runners.
Melbourne Storm greats are relishing the opportunity, which comes after Nine secured the broadcast rights to the race that will stop a nation until 2029.
“It’s going to be very exciting to be in the team for the Melbourne Cup Carnival,” Slater said in Today.
‘I’ll get behind the barriers (at Flemington) and talk to some of the jockeys after they win some of the biggest races of their lives.
“I could be on a horse and go out between it and give viewers an idea of what they’re thinking.
Football 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, Melbourne Storm great (pictured) and Queensland Origin coach worked as a track cyclist for decorated coach Gai Waterhouse.
Slater and his wife Nicole (pictured) run Slater Thoroughbreds, a breeder of high-end pedigree horses.
“And also how emotional it can be after a race and talking to the jockeys who work so hard to get there.”
Slater recently revealed that his weight as a youth ensured he would not forge a career as an elite basketball player.
“Horse racing is something I’ve always been passionate about,” Slater told News Corp.
‘I was 16… I finished grade 11, left school and was living alone in Sydney and working for Gai (Waterhouse).
“That was a real revelation. Seeing the operation of a high-quality coach like Gai probably subconsciously helped me when I started pursuing a career in the NRL.
“I (also) weighed about 70kg when I was 16, so I was never going to be a jockey.”
Meanwhile, Eddie McGuire is set 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.
He won the 2015 grand regatta aboard Prince of Penzance, which was at odds of 100/1 in the 24 entries over 3200 metres.
The Melbourne Cup Carnival begins with the Victoria Derby on Saturday 2 November and the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday 5 November.