Breakthrough wins, career-best performances, it was all smiles for emerging young riders on the weekend with a trio of WA apprentices impressing with their desire and commitment
At Derby and Carnarvon, Natika Riordan, Giaan O’Donnell and Rosie Mahony passed significant career milestones and are determined to keep the winning momentum going.
O’Donnell set the tone when she claimed her first win as a jockey in the Derby Sprint (1120m), leading all the way on the Sean and Jake Casey-trained, Charlton Eddie.
She had to pull out all stops and earn the win after Charlton Eddie was challenged by Choixway, but under hard riding she lifted the seven-year-old across the line.
Fulfilling a lifelong dream at her 13th race start, O’Donnell continued a proud family legacy with her father, Shaun O’Donnell a multiple Group 1 winning jockey.
“It’s a great thrill and I don’t even know if it’s sunk in yet,” O’Donnell said on Tabradio.
“It’s been a lot of hard work and a few injuries to get there, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“All I could think about when I crossed the line was my dad and how excited he would be for me.
“It’s so exciting.”
Mahony led home Lutz for Darryn Pateman in the Derby Cup (1800m), her most significant win since coming back from a seven-month injury layoff.
Mahony went into to the race with modest hopes, but a wave of the whip in celebration passing the post indicated how much the win meant to her.
“Very stoked with the win, unexpected,” Mahony said.
“I had low expectations but when he kept kicking, I got excited a gave a salute.
“It was a great feeling when he kept going.
“I feel like I’m riding a lot more confidently.”
A day later at Carnarvon, it was Riordan’s turn to shine when she finished the meeting with a bang, booting home the final three winners on the six-race programme.
Riordan marked an early career highlight with a running treble, opening her winning account on Lacevinsky before following up aboard Dirty Chai and Awesome Lily.
All the way winner Dirty Chai the pick of the trio after she extended her winning sequence in the main race: the $30,000 Minilya Sprint (1200m), scoring by 3 ¼ lengths.
It was Riordan’s first ride on the sought-after five-year-old mare, who has not been beaten in five starts since transferring to Dongara trainer, Jackie Scott.
“Three winners definitely made the day,” Riordan said.
“It’s amazing and so much fun, getting to the races has been exciting.”
Riordan’s best haul at the races comes after she made her debut at Kalgoorlie on Good Friday.
Her first winner came soon after when she partnered Rodney Oh Rodney at Dongara.
Guiding and nurturing her development is WA Hall Of Fame trainer, Neville Parnham.
“There is always so much to learn, and he has so much insight,” Riordan said.
“I’m definitely in the right place to get as much advice as you would want to know.”
Julio Santarelli