Ava Catarino will forever hold fond memories of her first meeting at Marble Bar on Saturday.
It’s the day when she stamped her individual mark in racing and continued a proud family heritage.
It’s onwards and upwards for the teenager who booted home her first winner on Al Majico.
In a patient and confident display, Catarino had the Tom Pike-trained gelding settled last, moved up before the turn and came home under hands and heels riding.
Catarino claimed her first success in the saddle at just her eighth ride after she made her much-anticipated debut at Port Hedland a week earlier.
She said it was a thrill to have won her first race.
“Once I got going in the straight, it was such a good feeling,” Catarino told The Races WA.
“The horse was traveling well and hit the line good.
“It was such a good feeling and felt like all the hard work has definitely paid off.
“I had a big smile on my face and it started the day off really well.
“I had a positive feeling about the day and thought I had a good chance."
That Catarino is following a life-long dream by becoming a jockey comes as no surprise and had to be considered a sure bet with her family bloodlines.
The fledging apprentice is the daughter of former jockey and current trainer David Catarino and the granddaughter of iconic rider Danny Miller.
Miller, in a decorated career, won a string of WA's biggest races including the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) with champion galloper Northerly.
“I’m just happy to have made everyone proud,” Catarino said.
“A lot of people have backed me and given me support.
“It’s very important and sits close with me.
“I spoke to dad and he was really proud of me and the ride.
“A lot of people have backed me in and given me support."
Catarino said the transition to race riding from high school was inevitable with her family background.
At no stage did she explore alternative career options other than race riding.
“It something I’ve always dreamed of since I was little," Catarino said.
“I definitely wanted to do this job since I left school.
“When the opportunity came I jumped straight into it.”
Catarino's had no shortage of sage advice directing the early stages of her career.
She’s soaking up every piece of racing information like a sponge.
Aside from her family network, host trainer, Michael Lane has been a big supporter.
“He’s helped me out and is a great support,” Catarino said.
“I’m getting so much advice from different people.
“It’s really helpful and I try and take on as much as I can.
“I’m just loving this job so much.”
After punching home Al Majico, Catarino finished third on The Red Sea in the Marble Bar Cup (1600m) and Day Of Reckoning in the last race.
Julio Santarelli