Goulburn’s first three races on Monday are highlighted by the fact that the female jockey contingent sits at over fifty percent of the riders represented.
The tone is set early in the “Stirrups Maiden Handicap” with five of the twelve runners having female jockeys confirmed to take the reins.
Races two (the Danny Williams Trainer of The Year Class 1 Hcp) and three (Billy Owen Apprentice of The Year Maiden Plate) follow a similar theme with nine female riders locked in across the twenty-two horses set to race in both contests.
Goulburn Race Club CEO Robyn Fife says it’s great to see female riders well represented at the tablelands track. She also believes it is this sort of representation that reinforces the need for the proposed capital improvement works the club has slated for female riders in the near future
“We are well down the track on productive discussions with stakeholders about a revamp of the female jockey facilities here at Goulburn,” Ms Fife said.
“Something like that would entail a rebuild time of around three months minimum but be a well-directed investment of around $150 000. It would also incorporate an improved media facility for our broadcast partners.”
On Monday, seniors in the female riding ranks and regular Goulburn performers like Kathy O’Hara, Rachel King, Kayla Nisbet and Jess Taylor will ride alongside a new breed in apprentices Angela Cooper, Zoe Connally and Cejay Graham.
Cooper gets a genuine chance to pilot home a winner for her Master, Danny Williams, in the same race that recognises Williams’ home track premiership win for the 2018/19 season. She will claim four kilos aboard top weight Acquittal who will be looking to bounce back off an uncharacteristic plain result in a Highway Handicap at Randwick last start.
Williams has also been supportive of Cooper on twitter recently, giving her the thumbs up for her two wins from as many race day rides in recent weeks.
Race 6 on the Goulburn card also throws up two other ‘girl power’ combinations with Kathy O’Hara taking the reins on So It Is for the Emma & Lucy Longmire team whilst Jess Taylor will pilot Titaness for recent mid-week city winner (Monegal) Theresa Bateup. Titaness could be the value runner in the race after closing intently first up.
Punters looking for an early female win on the day could make “K” the payoff letter in the opener with Kathy O’Hara (Nijinska), Kacie Adams (Miss Demi) and Kayla Nisbet (Or Else) all aboard gallopers who have finished in the top four at their last outing.
Deanne Panya also has two rides early in the day as part of the female flavour for Goulburn’s seven race card which kicks off at 1.10pm. All the fields, form and replays for Friday’s meeting at Goulburn.
More information – Robyn Fife CEO Goulburn Race Club 02 48 222222
PHOTO – Bradley Photos. Kathy O’Hara.
Goulburn Race Club are proudly sponsored by Goulburn Mulwaree Council
