ROBBIE DOLAN COULD BE RIDING HIS WAY INTO MELBOURNE CUP CONTENTION AGAIN

By Graham Potter | Thursday, October 9, 2025

When Robbie Dolan and Royal Supremacy scored their spectacular Group 1 in the Metropolitan at Randwick last Saturday, it thrust the possibility of a Dolan Melbourne Cup defence into play following his stunning, boilover Cup victory last year aboard Knight’s Choice at the punter flattening odds of $91.

Knight’s Choice was officially ruled out of the Melbourne Cup on September 30 after being held in lockdown at Macedon Lodge, a location which was dealing with a outbreak of strangles … significantly changing Dolan’s playbook for the Spring Carnival.

Enter Riyal Supremacy and Dolan’s one ride, one win big day out at Randwick and another Melbourne Cup dream could well be ‘game on’.

“I’m booked to ride Royal Supremacy in the Caulfield Cup next Saturday, so, if things go right, it would be nice to stay with him for the Melbourne Cup, I guess,” said Dolan.

‘I got the call for the Metropolitan ride. Obviously, it was at 50kg … and there is only so many that can ride at the weight. The owners wanted me on. They rang up. I have had a lot of luck for them (Australian Bloodstock) going back over the years.

“I am very lucky I can ride light … although it was a little bit difficult getting down to 50kg. It’s below a lot of people’s threshold, but thankfully I was able to do it.

“I don’t know how some of the boys take off the weight every day, because I was tired afterwards.”

Dolan’s wins in the Melbourne Cup and his international success in the Shergar Cup at Ascot in England in August are at the heart of a golden period in the saddle for Dolan, but all of the plaudits that have come his way have not altered Dolan’s philosophy at all.

“I’ve always believed that you should enjoy life, before anything.

“We’ve all worked very hard from a young age to get into a position where we now … riding in Metropolitan races, Melbourne Cups and things like that, so I just try to make the most of it.

“Two things I would say to young people.

“Keep showing up. You have got to keep showing up … and, also, never compare yourself to other people.

“If you are looking in the race-book and saying to yourself … geez, this guy or that guy has ridden two or three winners, why aren’t I riding winners … you are beaten before you go out there because you are trying to chase someone that it doesn’t even make sense to be chasing.

“Just chase yourself and do your own thing.

“Some days it will happen. Some days it won’t happen.

“That’s life.”

Well, it happened, big time, for Dolan on the first Tuesday in November last year, a result which absolutely bears out the ‘keep turning up’ … ‘just chase yourself’ philosophy that has empowered and served Dolan so well.

“It is an amazing thing that race, (the Cup),” said Dolan. “It’s very different.

“I’d love everybody to experience winning it but, unfortunately, not many people will get that chance.”

After Royal Supremacy’s win put the Metropolitan in the bank, punters will now be scrutinising Royal Supremacy’s chances moving forward to the Caulfield Cup and beyond and wondering what Melbourne Cup story might be lying in wait for Dolan this year.

More articles