APPRENTICE jockey Brooke Sweeney will take the next step in her promising career in the saddle when she rides at her first city meeting at Sandown today.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The 19-year-old will partner last-start Wagga winner Sweet Emily who is trained at Jerilderie by her father, Phil.
Sweeney said she was looking forward to the challenge and wasn’t at all nervous ahead of her biggest race ride.
“I’m feeling really good about it and quite confident the filly will acquit herself well,” Sweeney said.
“I don’t really seem to get nervous and even before my first race ride I wasn’t nervous.
“But having my first ride in the big smoke is a big thing for me and a few nerves may creep in when I get down there and walk the track before the race.
“I’ve won three races and a second from four rides on her, so I feel I know her inside out.
“While it is a step up in grade, she is coming off a last start win and deserves her chance in town.”
Sweet Emily has had six career starts for three wins and two minor placings.
Her only unplaced run was at Sandown last month when she stumbled badly at the start to lose any chance in the race when ridden by Harry Coffey.
“You just have to forget her previous city run because her nose hit the ground coming out of the barriers and it was all over for her,” she said.
“Hopefully she can start well and, from there, she is quite versatile and can lead or race handy to the speed.
“With her light weight, hopefully she can give a good kick turning for home and be fighting out the finish.”
Sweeney has ridden 32 winners since gaining her licence in October 2012, including about 15 for her father.
The three-kilogram claiming apprentice is indentured to Wangaratta based co-trainers John and Chris Ledger.
The emerging talent is also starting to gain rides from other stables and recently picked-up a ride for leading Caulfield trainer Mick Price at Wangaratta.
