Jamie Kah's tuition helps Pony Riders on Adelaide Cup Day

There was no stopping Jamie Kah on the weekend leading up to the Adelaide Cup. After an emotionally-charged day at Flemington when she won the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap with Cylinder, Kah made a flying visit to Adelaide on the Sunday morning to help prepare the kids taking part in the Morphettville Pony Races on Adelaide Cup Day.

The home-grown superstar was reunited with her old pony Sapphire at Morphettville, and spent an hour riding with the Pony Club contestants before flying back to Melbourne for a wedding.

“I was so excited to come and see my pony again,” said Kah.

“I think we went to Albury-Wodonga for the under-15 national championships and we won that. I used to do a lot of mounted games on her and she was such a legend of a pony back then and she still is.

“I wish I had this (pony racing) back in my day, I would’ve given it a proper crack. I would’ve been hooning around on my pony, it is such a great initiative.

“It really introduces them into the sport and gives them a good starting point.”

After spending time with their idol Kah, the pony racing was a highlight on Adelaide Cup Day.

Stacey Edwards won the Small Pony category over 400 metres aboard Napoleon who seemed to enjoy his moment to shine.

“It’s always been a bit of a dream for him to be a little racehorse,” said Stacey.

“He gets worked most mornings with the race-horses and he had to have a companion pony come down with him because he’s too silly on his own.

“I was so nervous I didn’t know if I could do it and I didn’t have much sleep last night I was so nervous and came out and I went so well I’m so happy.”

Stacey and Maddie Cox who finished second on maggie Collett’s pony Rosie both qualified for the Final at Randwick on April 20.

In the big pony category, 15-year-old Cheyenne Crane from the Apsley Pony Club stormed home on Phoenix to win ahead of Ruby Davis on George. Both girls also qualified for the large pony final in Sydney.

“It was a very strong finish so lots of carrots for her tonight. I’ve been wanting to be a jockey since I was four-years-old so this is the first step I guess,” said Cheyenne who’s already started riding track and strapping in the South East.

“I’m still in shock I am really in disbelief I could barely believe it when I got over the line, I couldn’t believe my pony had done it. She can be a little bit of a turd sometimes but she’s been really good and she’s been amazing and I can’t believe we’re going to Randwick.”

Adelaide was the last leg of the inaugural National Pony Series which has been a huge success right across Australia.

“It was such a brilliant day, just amazing to be at Morphettville on Adelaide Cup Day. I think that’s really special and the kids rode so well and presented their ponies so beautifully, it couldn’t have gone better today,” said Lindy Maurice who is CEO of Thoroughbred Industry Careers.

“This is what it’s all about - introducing them to every type of industry career they can do with us.

“And so after doing a pony race they know that we’re here and they know all the different options so that’s the big part of this program the education.”