NBL star Bryce Cotton will swap the basketball court for the racetrack when he attends Saturday’s Group 1 SA Derby at Morphettville.
But rather than sip champagne and eat canapes behind the glass, the Adelaide 36ers pin-up is keen to spend his day in the mounting yard, watching how racing’s elite athletes prepare to perform on the big stage.
Cotton, widely regarded as one of the best players in NBL history, got a behind the scenes tour of Morphettville on Thursday and met leading SA Derby contender Engine Of War, who is based at Chris Bieg’s stable.
“It’s my first time at Morphettville,” Cotton said.
“I’m most looking forward to seeing the horses and the jockeys prepping in the hour before the races.
“The races will be fun but I’m more of a behind the scenes type of guy.”
In a bid to bolster the crowd on the second of three G1 racedays during the autumn carnival, Racing SA is attempting to leverage interest in other sports.
With the blockbuster Showdown between the Crows and the Power on Friday night, it’s expected several big-name AFL guests will also be trackside.
