Riddell wins apprentice premiership

With well over 800 rides to her name this season, Amber Riddell has been the country’s most active jockey, and her hard work has been rewarded by taking out the National Apprentice Jockeys’ Premiership.

While there are still two days left to go in the season, Riddell’s 18-win lead is unsurmountable, and the Palmerston North rider is rapt to achieve her season goal in convincing fashion.

“I am really pleased with how the whole season has gone,” Riddell said. “My goal for the season was to win the premiership, so I am really glad to have achieved it.”

Riddell has tallied 78 wins and more than $2.2 million to date this season, placing her in third place in the overall jockeys’ premiership, and while each win has been meaningful, there are a couple of clear highlights.

“Winning the Gore Guineas (Listed, 1200m) on Better Shared was really special because it was my first Listed win,” Riddell said. “Winning the Southern Alps ($350,000, 1500m) with Toa Haka was also special as it is a big money race.”

Riddell hasn’t been shy of hopping on a plane to travel around the country in search of riding opportunities, and she has been particularly rewarded in the South Island.

“I have gained a lot of Airpoints flying around the country,” Riddell said. “I really enjoy the travel and I like keeping busy, and the South Island has been great to me.

“I couldn’t have done it without the support of the South Island trainers. I have ridden at pretty much every South Island meeting this season.

“It has been a really long season of travelling but it has definitely been rewarding.”

Another major highlight for Riddell this season was heading to Brisbane for a week in April to compete in Australia’s National Apprentice Race Series (NARS) at Eagle Farm.

“That trip to Australia was amazing and it has definitely opened my eyes to riding over there again in the future,” Riddell said.

“It also gave me a lot of confidence in my riding. I came back and a few days later won the Southern Alps.”

Riddell has been pleased with the way she has matured as a rider this season and said she no longer suffers from nerves prior to riding.

“There is a lot of pressure, but I have definitely learned how to handle it and I don’t really get nervous now,” she said.

While the apprentice premiership is secure, Riddell’s competitive streak is far from over this season, with the 24-year-old hopeful of adding a few more wins to her tally, with the possibility of adding a second stakes win to her record at Otaki on Thursday.

Apprenticed to Awapuni trainer Lisa Latta, Riddell will ride stable juvenile gelding Midnight Dart in the Listed Phils Electrical & Gipsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m).

Initially set to run on Saturday, Otaki’s meeting was postponed until Thursday due to weather conditions, with Midnight Dart being the big winner as he wasn’t set to start last weekend.

“He wasn’t originally in the field last Saturday, but I galloped him on Saturday morning and he galloped really well,” Riddell said. “Josh (Herd, part-owner) decided to put an entry in for tomorrow and I am really looking forward to riding him.”

A winner on debut over 800m at Trentham last October, Midnight Dart has competed on New Zealand racing’s biggest stage when unplaced in the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie on January.

In an open field, Midnight Dart is currently a $6 winning chance with TAB bookmakers, in a market headed by local contender Singletary at $4.40.

Riddell is also looking forward to riding Group Three performer Freddie Time in the UZABUS Handicap (1100m) for new trainer Howie Mathews.

“Speaking with Howie today at the jumpouts, he said he is feeling good and is ready to go tomorrow,” Riddell said. “He has won over 1200m before and it is a nice race for him to start off his preparation.”

A day later at Awapuni, Riddell is looking forward to chasing the $60,000 purse on offer in the Power Farming Manawatu Awapuni Synthetic Final (1400m) aboard Kereti.

“The field is pretty small (six runners), but it is a decent field,” Riddell said. “He is a good chance on the way he won two starts back, and he went really well at Hawera last start (runner-up).”

There won’t be any time over the weekend for Riddell to savour her premiership win as she will fly down to Christchurch to ride at Riccarton on Saturday, where she will partner Canheroc in the Gr.3 Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (1600m), before returning north to ride at Wanganui on Sunday.

Riddell is hoping to continue her winning momentum into the new season and reward the support of her backers.

“I couldn’t do it without everyone’s support,” she said. “All the trainers and owners, and everyone that has given me advice this year, I have taken it on board.”