Lakes favourite gives Bullock early drive for Championships chances
Top country jockey Aaron Bullock is focused on staying in top shape for Know Thyself and other exciting prospects heading into Championship qualifiers.
By Craig Kerry
January 8, 2026 — 6.00pm
Gun country jockey Aaron Bullock says horses like Know Thyself help put him in “a different zone” in his battle to make weight.
And with the prospect of exciting chances to come in Country and Provincial-Midway Championship qualifiers, Bullock is not lacking for further motivation.
Aaron Bullock after winning on Know Thyself at Randwick on December 20.Credit: Getty Images
Bullock will try to ride $3.10 TAB favourite Know Thyself at 56.5 kilograms in the $500,000 The Lakes Mile at Wyong on Saturday. It is the same weight he got down to when riding the Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich-trained galloper a half-kilogram over when winning the $1 million Country Championships final (1400m) at Randwick last April.
The cut is a stretch for Bullock, who has dominated the country circuit in recent years despite not being able to ride light. He won the NSW premiership last season with 127 winners, was a half-win second in 2023-24 on 137 and claimed the national crown in 2022-23 with 207.5.
He steered Know Thyself from a wide gate to a narrow first-up victory at 57.5kg in a benchmark 100 handicap over 1400m at Randwick on December 20 and was up for a post-Christmas push to stick with him on Saturday. The Autumn Sun gelding has eight wins from 12 starts and is being aimed at group races this campaign.
“I don’t get down to this weight often, but for a horse like him, you just get into a different zone,” Bullock said.
Know Thyself, far right, wins at Randwick on December 20.Credit: Getty Images
“He’s been a good horse for my career. That’s seven wins I’ve had on him now and that’s the most I’ve ever had on one horse, and hopefully more to come. It will be a lean couple of days, but that’s all right. I’ll get there.”
Know Thyself’s pre-Christmas win came after an aborted spring campaign following a hoof injury.
Bullock was excited to see what the Scone galloper could produce second-up over the mile.
“You never want to say good horses have come back better, but I reckon he has,” Bullock said. “What he did first-up the other day was enormous.
