It’s the Schweppes All Aged Stakes Day at Royal Randwick, the final day of the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival, and it’s also the finale of the National Pony Racing Series.
“The finalists are very excited about the opportunity to ride at Sydney’s premier racecourse” said Lindy Maurice, the Chief Executive Officer of Thoroughbred Industry Careers.
“Two of the riders are from Western Australia in making a huge effort to truck their ponies for 10 days there and back to be part of it, along with ever adoring family and relatives.”
“The support of sponsors has been vital in making the inaugural series possible, and riders in the two divisions will sport the racing colours of each of the main sponsors of the national series.”
“We are also grateful to ‘The Agency’ for sponsoring ‘The Finals’ and to our state regulatory bodies in Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, Queensland and in fact nation-wide.”
“In helping to cover some expenses incurred for riders travelling from interstate, and last but not least, a big thank you to Inglis for housing the ponies at Riverside with riders from five states.”
Split into two categories – small and large ponies – the final feature riders from Queensland, Victoria, SA, WA and NSW who finishing in the top two of their heats held over the past eight months.
First up at 11.00am, prior to Race 1 at 11.25, in the Small Pony category is Amber Kehler from Queensland for Arrowfield on Little Jack who says ‘he smiles sometimes for photos and sits like a dog.’
Next onto the track in a field of 10 pony’s is Mia-Rose Cornish wearing the blue and red silks of Carl and Lorraine Holt who says ‘Spots loves jumping, playing games, going fast and pleasing me.’
Aspen Pike travels from WA, and in the blue and yellow of O’Neill-Kheir is on Onyx, while Blair Burke says ‘if you point your finger at Meggy’s nose she gets cranky, and shakes her head at you.’
Although Belle is not a $10million Woppitt Bloodstock buy, its Carley McKeller in purple and white who says ‘Belle wakes me up every morning whinnying as loud as she can to give her breakfast.’
Last onto the track is Sophia Ricketson in the blue and green stripes of her legendary great-grandfather Tommy Smith, and representing her grand-mother Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Racing.
Already skilled in post-race interviews, Sophie is surrounded by her racing fashion icon mother Kate Waterhouse, with her father being the former champion Roosters footballer Luke Ricketson.
Prior to Race 4 at 1.15pm, is the Large Pony event at 1.00pm with Isabella Sprig on Harry from WA in the green and white of Yulong Stud, along with Robert Scobie and Ruby Davis from Victoria.
Antonia Maggiolo, Ayla Griffin, Emilia Savage and Zavanah Cochran travelled from Queensland, Cheyenne Crane from SA is on Phoenix, and from NSW its Jake McEvoy and Maddison McConachy.
Staged by Thoroughbred Industry Careers and Pony Club Australia, it looks to create opportunities for equestrians from 9 to 15 years of age, to give insight for careers in thoroughbred industry.
In experiencing the thrill of competing with their ponies in a race, it meets with the support of footage of the young riders competing at our most famous racetracks, beamed around the country.
Finals week is an unforgettable experience for every rider and their pony, having arrived at the Inglis Riverside complex on Tuesday, and the barrier draw at The William Inglis Hotel on Friday.
Also, there’s a tour of Godolphin’s Osborne Park facility, trackwork at Royal Randwick followed by breakfast and a visit to the Ranvet factory, plus training sessions at Warwick Farm Racecourse.
