Jon Grisedale might have kicked off his career in 1986, but he continues to prove that age is no barrier, with the 59-year-old riding in some terrific form.
A winner of 1289 races, including Group 3 and Listed events, Grisedale is based in Coffs Harbour these days.
He has ridden 32 winners this season, with his recent run of results something to write home about.
On Anzac Day, Grisedale landed a Murwillumbah double in the opening two races before the remainder of the program was abandoned.
He rode winners at Ballina, Port Macquarie (x 2), and Wauchope in May before posting a winning double at Bowraville’s Nambucca River Jockey Club on Saturday.
“It’s been good, but obviously, it depends on the cattle underneath you,” Grisedale told NSW Country and Picnic Racing.
“Things have been running well and going well, and I’m riding with a lot of confidence, which always helps.”
Riding for Dennis Dwane in the opening event on the five-race program, Grisedale helped War On Bling ($3.30) to victory in the 1000m Maiden Plate, and the three-year-old was very impressive first-up for the Lismore stable.
“She got a nice, easy lead, and I had never ridden the horse before, but she did everything right,” Grisedale said.
“It wasn’t a strong race, but she’s a green horse, and she’s got a bit of learning to do, and she won quite convincingly in the end.”
Bringing up an early running double, Grisedale ensured he wasn’t in the doghouse, winning a race for his wife, Donna Grisedale, this time taking out the 1000m Class One Handicap on Bow ($2).
“We both work the horses together and, to get results together, it’s fantastic,” Grisedale said.
“If they are winning or running good races, it means we are doing the job right, and it’s always exciting riding winners for Donna.
“It’s a seven-day-a-week job and a lot of hours, and getting those results is really rewarding.”
Bow – by Bel Esprit out of Secret Bond – looks a promising type and has started eight times for two wins and four placings.
The four-year-old gelding was first-up from a 25-week spell in the five-furlong event, and despite carrying the 62kg, his class prevailed.
“He had a lot of weight, and he’s not a big horse, and we were concerned about that,” Grisedale said.
“He used to have a lot of early speed, but he doesn’t now, and I had to ride him quietly and get going on him a bit early, but he did a lot of things right, and he did well to carry the weight for a little horse.”
Grisedale, who treks to Taree on Tuesday to take three rides on the Wingham Cup program, believes he is on a good chance in the $30,000 Wingham Cup (1614m) when jumping aboard the Brett Dodson-trained Kapsali ($5.50).
“I’ve got a nice ride in the cup,” Grisedale said.
“He has had a bit of a let-up; he’s up over a mile, and he might find it too far, but we gave him a barrier trial at Port Macquarie to top him off, and fingers crossed he runs well.”
Grisedale also jumps aboard the Neil Osborne-trained My Girona ($11) in the Corey Brown Cup (1007m) and the Shane Everson-trained Lampkin Lane ($19) in the 1262m Class One Handicap.
For all results from Bowraville, click here.
For Taree’s fields, click here.
