Riddell savouring first taste of Australian racing

Leading New Zealand apprentice jockey Amber Riddell got her first taste of Australian racing in Brisbane this week when competing in Australia’s National Apprentice Race Series (NARS), and she is eager for more.

The 24-year-old hoop was invited to compete in the series by Racing Queensland and flew to Brisbane on Sunday and experienced the subsequent days engrossing herself in the local racing scene, riding track work at Eagle Farm in the mornings and mixing with her Australian counterparts.

“It was an amazing experience, it was like a dream come true to ride at a metro meeting over there, the track and facilities were beautiful,” Riddell said.

“I flew out on Sunday from Invercargill and I rode track work on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. I mostly rode for Kelly Schweida and Tony Gollan and I was really well looked after and I got to ride some pretty nice horses.

“I think it (NARS) is a great initiative, it gives apprentices a chance to ride at different locations across Australia. A lot of the other apprentices hadn’t ridden there (Eagle Farm) either. It was a great opportunity to meet other apprentices from different States and make some friends.”

The trip culminated in competing in the NARS series at Eagle Farm on Wednesday where Riddell had two rides and came within half a length of victory aboard the Ciaron Maher-trained Berezka (Xtravagant).

“We were randomly drawn rides, so I was really excited when I saw my two rides were quite nice horses and I was quite excited to ride for Ciaron Maher,” Riddell said.

“We nearly pulled off the win. We had a good crack in the protest room because I did get cut off at the top of the straight, which cost me momentum, but she finished off quite strongly.

“Regardless of the result, the experience I gained and the new connections I made was amazing.”

A one kilogram claiming apprentice in her homeland, Riddell was able to claim an extra two kilograms across the Tasman.

“They have metro, provincial and country racing over there and I can claim three kilos in the city in Australia because I haven’t had that many premier day wins over here, which count towards metro wins over there,” she said.

Riddell currently holds a four-win lead over Elen Nicholas in the New Zealand Apprentice Jockey Premiership, and while that is her sole focus at present, her Queensland trip has instigated thoughts on her riding future and where that may lie.

“It was really good to experience Australian racing, it was my first time riding over there, and I am definitely keen to head back there next season,” she said. “I am not sure what State, I would like to check out Melbourne and Sydney as well.

“I have still got two years to go in my apprenticeship and not many wins to go until I have lost my claim completely, so it makes sense to go over there and be able to claim three-kilos in the city.

“I am definitely keen to head over, especially because I can get my claim back over there, but I would like to try and win the premiership here first, that is my main goal at the moment.”

Riddell was accompanied to Brisbane by Central Districts riding mentor Kim Clapperton, and Riddell said she was grateful for the opportunity.

“I would like to thank Racing Queensland, New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing, Kim Clapperton, who went over with me, and Shane Scriven (Racing Queensland), who organised it all,” Riddell said.

“I was very proud to represent New Zealand, and I hope this opens up more opportunities in the future for our apprentices to head over and compete in the series.”

Riddell arrived back in New Zealand on Thursday and is straight back into the action, riding at Waverley on Friday before heading to Christchurch on Saturday where she has eight rides at Riccarton, including The Explosive (NZ) (King Of Comedy) in the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1600m) for employer Lisa Latta.

“I have got a big day on Saturday with eight rides and four of those are last start winners, so that is quite exciting,” Riddell said.

“I am really excited about The Explosive, she has got a nice draw (3), which should give her a good chance. She had a nice win last start and we are hoping she will go well.

“I have got Toa Haka (NZ) (Iffraaj) in the in the $350,000 Southern Alps Challenge (1600m), he has a bad draw (16) but he does go forward, so hopefully we get some luck.

“I won on Express Coup (NZ) (Shamexpress) at Riverton last weekend and I am looking forward to partnering with her again (in the Angus Meats Open Handicap, 1200m), it was a pretty tough win at Riverton.”