Three of South Australia’s up and coming riders and their ponies have set off on the journey of a lifetime to the National Pony Racing Series Finals, which takes place at Royal Randwick in Sydney on All Aged Stakes Day on April 20.
Supported by Racing SA, Cheyenne Crane and her pony Phoenix will represent SA in the large pony category, while Stacey Edwards and Napoleon, along with Maddi-Rose Cox and Rosie will fly the flag for SA in the small pony category.
Fifteen-year-old Maddi is already well known within the industry in South Australia. Her mum Tracy Cox is the current SA Stablehand of the Year for her work with the David Jolly stable. Maddi also works for David, and has been riding racehorses for a long as she can remember.
Maddi’s mum will strap for her in the final at Royal Randwick.
“It’s an amazing opportunity really. I’m very lucky to be able to ride Rosie for Maggie (Collett) and Justin (Pickering). I’m just so excited,” said Maddi.
“Not many kids get to do this and it’s definitely something that’s going to have a good impact on the racing industry.
“It was really weird in the Morphettville pony races to ride in the mounting yard instead of being the one strapping.
“In Sydney we’re doing a tour of the Godolphin stables. I think that’s going to be pretty cool and also experiencing the different tracks. And hopefully meeting all the trainers up there and the jockeys and just watching the races. It’s going to be amazing,” she said.
While Maddi isn’t yet sure what career she’ll pursue in the racing industry, 15-year-old Naracoorte High School student Cheyenne has wanted to be a jockey since she was four years old.
“I started doing trackwork about nine months ago and I’m now galloping a few on the track and I’ve taken a couple through the barriers,” said Cheyenne.
“I go to jump-outs with Sue Murphy and race days when I can, and when I’m not at school I go out and help her.
“I think Royal Randwick is going to be an incredible experience and I just can’t wait. I’ve got one of my good friends from Bordertown Mikaela Irwin coming along, her dad’s a trainer Scott Irwin, and she’s going to be my strapper for the week so she’s so excited to come along,” she said.
Cheyenne has been mentored by Glen Boss since a chance meeting in the Casterton pub when she was interviewed for his TV show, and she’s hoping to make more industry connections in Sydney.
The inaugural National Pony Racing Series is a joint venture between Thoroughbred Industry Careers and Pony Club Australia, and has been met with great support at key racecourses around the country.
The 20 pony riders racing in the series finals at Randwick qualified by finishing first or second in their state heats on feature race days.
The support of sponsors has been vital in making the inaugural series possible and riders in each of the two divisions sport the racing colours of each of the main sponsors.
Racing SA along with state regulatory bodies in Western Australia, Victoria and Queensland all chipped into help cover some of the expenses incurred for riders travelling interstate. Inglis will house the ponies at Riverside for the finals.
Vision of the finals will be beamed across Australia on Channel 7, Sky Racing and Racing.com.
