Grylls and Burton score first stakes wins

Saturday’s meeting at Te Rapa will live long in the memories of Bridget Grylls and Anthony Burton, with the pair combining to record their first stakes wins in the Listed Legacy Lodge Sprint (1200m) with Rotten Tommy (NZ) (US Navy Flag).

It’s been 15 years in the making for Waikato jockey Grylls, who commenced riding in New Zealand before a stint in Queensland, and she is rapt to finally get the stakes monkey off her back.

“It was so exciting,” she said. “I have had a lot of seconds when I was in Queensland, but finally I am not a bridesmaid anymore.

“I am a bit relieved really and it’s a bit of weight off the back.”

Burton was pleased for Grylls, as well as Rotten Tommy’s owners, who have been taken on a great ride since their horse broke through for his maiden win in July.

“It was pretty cool; it was magic for her (Grylls)” Burton said.

“It was a bit of a thrill for me and the owners. There are a few local (Ruakaka) people in him. He has won three now, so it’s good.”

While Rotten Tommy hadn’t fired in his two previous starts on a Heavy track, he had pleased in a recent trial on the surface, and Burton said the only thing he was sweating about last week was whether he would get a start.

“He trialled at Rotorua on a Heavy track, so I was pretty confident about that, it was just whether or not he was going to get a run,” Burton said. “We were fourth on the ballot and got in, so it worked out well.”

With several northern jockeys riding at the opening day of the New Zealand Cup carnival at Riccarton, Grylls said she was pleased to pick up the lightweight ride on Rotten Tommy at short notice.

“It was good to get a ride in the race,” she said. “I know he was fourth on the ballot, and not many jockeys can ride 53kg at such short notice, so I was lucky in that respect.”

Grylls was also pleased with the manner of Rotten Tommy’s performance, having jumped and led, and stuck on well to stave off his rivals to claim victory.

“His start before, when he ran second at Te Rapa, he was the same, he fought back and he just got done on the line. I knew he would be in with a fight,” she said.

While Burton is in his seventh season of training, he has worked in the industry for a long time, and he said earning his first stakes win on Saturday was sentimental.

“I have been involved in racing for quite a while now and to get my licence and get that (stakes win), it means a lot,” he said.

Grylls was also glad to score her first stakes win close to home.

“It is great to win a race like that, and close to home as well,” she said. “I have been riding a lot down south. It makes all the early mornings and blood, sweat and tears worth it.”

Saturday proved to be a rewarding day for the Grylls family, with her brother, reigning New Zealand Champion Jockey Craig Grylls, winning aboard Makarov (Russian Camelot) at Riccarton and placed on Bona Sforza (Written By) in the Gr.3 Canterbury Breeder’s Stakes (1400m).

“He (Craig) had a great day too, so I think Mum and Dad were pretty stoked for both of us,” Grylls said.

While Saturday’s win has become Grylls’ most cherished in the saddle, she said she had several highlights during her time riding in Australia.

“I did quite well when I was in Queensland as an apprentice,” she said. “I won quite a big two-year-old race at Rockhampton, the Capricornia. It’s not a stakes race, but quite a big prizemoney race.

“I loved Queensland, the people are great over there and obviously the weather, but I like being home and being close to my family and friends, and the feeling of being home too.”

Grylls is hoping Saturday’s win can open more opportunities in the competitive northern jurisdiction, however, she has enjoyed travelling and is grateful for the support she has received around the country.

“I am at the track most mornings and try my best to get on as many as I can, but it is difficult,” she said. “I have a ‘have-saddle-will-travel’ mindset.”

The milestone win has come at the perfect time for Grylls, who is set to enjoy a small break from racing and savour her success.

“I am off on holiday for a week for a wedding in Rarotonga,” she said. “So that will be cool.”

Grylls is hopeful of retaining the ride on Rotten Tommy, who may become a familiar face in some Ellerslie feature sprints over the coming months.

“We really need to get him back right-handed, so we might go to the trials and see how we go right-handed and take it from there,” Burton said. “If he can go right-handed it will open up a lot more opportunities for us. The Concorde (Gr.3, 1200m, at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day) and things like that are coming up."