Wagga-based apprentice Holly Durnan is undoubtedly the jockey of the moment in the Southern Districts.
Since winning her first race on the David Blundell-trained Summer Cloud at Young in May, the 19-year-old has ridden successfully, taking 60 rides for 13 winners at an awe-inspiring 22% win rate and 48% place rate.
On Sunday, she raced in and won the biggest event of her career, guiding the Craig Weeding-trained Prince Of Helena to victory in the $50,000 Narrandera Cup.
The youngster said the winning ride had given her more confidence moving forward.
“Yes, it’s the biggest race I’ve been in and won, and It was a big boost, and it makes me more confidence in myself,” she said.
“I got quite far back in that race, and definitely a bit farther back than I wanted to be, and I thought halfway through that I had made a mistake.
“Still, I knew the horse was a good chance and the best horse in the field, but I did think the weight might get him in the end, but we got a good run, and he was incredibly tough to hang on and win.”
Durnan has been thrilled with the support shown by prominent stables who are more than willing to take advantage of her three-kilogram claim.
“I am really pleased with the support, and I’m getting some excellent opportunities off trainers, and it’s been really good,” she said.
Durnan treks to Leeton on Saturday for their pop-up meeting, and she will take five rides on the six-race Sky 2 program.
Riding for her Master Gary Colvin, Durnan jumps aboard Side Cash in the 1150m Maiden Plate and Bonvalante in the 1600m Benchmark 58 Handicap.
Off her other chances, the Wagga hoop will team up with the Russell Steiner-trained Russian Ransom in the 1050m Maiden Plate, the Graham Byatt-trained Lennox Road in the 1050m Benchmark 50 Handicap, and the Ben Brisbourne-trained Blaspheme in the 1150m Benchmark 50 Handicap.
“I am really happy with my rides,” Durnan said.
“I really like Russell Steiner’s maidener (Russian Ransom); it ran quite a few good races last prep and was unlucky not to get a win.
“Side Cash for Garry (Colvin) has had a bit of a freshen-up, and Bonvalante doesn’t run fantastic away from his home track, but we’ll see how he goes.
“Plus, I’ve been trying to get on Big Red (Lennox Road) for about nine starts, and he is fresh and usually runs pretty good fresh.”
With one ride on the Garry Kirkup-trained Blazing Sunrise in the 1400m Benchmark 58 Handicap at Nowra on Sunday, Durnan will be happy to return home on Monday, taking four more rides at Wagga.
This time, she’s on the Gary Colvin-trained Cellar Champ in the 1200m Maiden Plate, the Craig Weeding-trained Easy Road in the Riverina Cup Prelude (2000m), the Cindy Browne-trained Backwater Trader in the 1000m Benchmark 58 Handicap, and Ross Purcell-trained Zarsupreme in the Battlers Cup (1300m).
“I really like the look of Gary’s horse (Cellar Champ); he keeps whacking away at the maidens and just hasn’t found one yet,” she said.
“Craig’s horse (Easy Road) is in form at the moment, and that one for Cindy (Backwater Trader) has been racing well, and I’ve been trying to get on Benny for a while.”
It’s shaping up to be a busy few days of Southern Districts and South East racing.
For Leeton fields, click here.
For Nowra fields, click here.
For Wagga fields, click here.
