Apprentice Taylor Marshall's goal is to follow in his father's footsteps, and he's got some big shoes to fill.

The son of Melbourne Cup-winning jockey John Marshall, the 21-year-old said that to ride in Australia's greatest race would be "the pinnacle" of his career.

Marshall was four when his dad won the 1999 Melbourne Cup on Rogan Josh for trainer Bart Cummings.

"I remember it vaguely but didn't quite grasp the significance of what had actually happened," he said.

And while the country's elite jockeys were riding at Flemington on Tuesday, Marshall said he was happy to take the opportunity to perform at Randwick.

"If you can put a few wins together that's how you get the momentum and trainers jump on board," he said.

Marshall failed to land a winner from his six rides at Randwick but he was grateful for the exposure and hoped to do better at the Ladies Day Cup meeting at Hawkesbury on Thursday.

With such a background, it is hard to believe Marshall didn't jump on a horse until he was 18.

"I had no interest. And dad never pushed me into anything," he said.

Marshall preferred playing soccer and only discovered his love of racing after he finished school.

"Looking back I'm happy it happened that way," Marshall said.

"I think a few apprentices jump in the deep end too young and it's very tough. It's a lot of pressure to carry on your shoulders."