Image – Bradley Photos.
Kacie Adams was the first to admit she was in a bit of a form slump before breaking through with back-to-back winners at Grafton on Sunday and Taree on Monday.
“100%, I hadn’t ridden a winner for a bit, but you can only ride the horses you’re given,” Adams said.
“I had ridden plenty of placings, and a lot of horses I was riding were trying their guts out for me, and sometimes you’ve got to take that as a win.
“Still, it was nice to tick off some boxes and get some wins, and hopefully, it keeps going, and I can get on a few more; I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing.”
Adams broke through for long-time supporter Tom Higgins when winning on Discreet Lady at Grafton, with the $4.20 chance too strong for her rivals in the 1610m Class Two Handicap.
It was an impressive win, with Adams sitting just worse than midfield on the four-year-old before the pair unleashed a strong finish when winning.
“Discreet Lady, she is as honest as they come,” Adams said.
“She was dropping back from Highway grade, where she was very competitive, and it was nice to win for Tom, as we have a good association.
“He gives me a lot of chances on his horses, and he tries hard with the horses he’s got; he has a good laugh and is always taking the piss, but he is a good guy, and it was great to ride a winner for him.”
Adams went agonisingly close to a Grafton double, with the Annette Lee-trained Wilderness Star ($21) leading them up in the 1410m Benchmark 58 before finishing second when beaten a half-head by the John Shelton-trained Cassia Lane (Mollie Fitzgerald, $3.90).
The following day, the Newcastle jockey was on the road to Taree for two rides, and she guided Sisserou ($3.20) to an impressive first-up win in the 1300m Maiden Handicap.
Adams drove the three-year-old to the front from barrier seven, rated him nicely, and the pair hung on for a half-length victory.
“Sisserou is quite a talented horse that has had a few barrier problems,” Adams said.
“He’s been scratched a couple of times and has reared up and got his feet over the barrier, so it’s taking him a little work to get him to the races.
“He had us all scratching our heads a bit, and I rode his work nearly every day, and the owners have been very patient, but he does have genuine ability, and it was good to see everyone rewarded.
“He still doesn’t do everything right, and he will improve and be a much better horse next prep and the prep after that.”
The 40-year-old Newcastle-based jockey, who keeps herself busy riding work for a variety of yards, was thrilled to be in the winner’s circle as she prepares for a busy Thursday, with trials at Newcastle in the morning before venturing to Coffs Harbour for three rides for Tom Higgins.
“I do quite a bit of work for Paul Perry, Kris Lees, Jason Deamer, and all the little trainers, like Barry Lawrence and Darren Treacy, that work hard, turn up every day, and are good to work with,” Adams said.
“It’s great to add some winners and get that reward, but especially because they were short-priced.
“They are probably the first two horses I’ve got on for a long time that was that short, and it was good to get them up.
“It’s a hard game, and everyone knows that, but we wouldn’t do it if we didn’t enjoy it, and the winners do help.”
On what looks to be a good day at Coffs Harbour, Adams will jump aboard Star Of Yamba (gate 3) in the 1605m Benchmark 58 Handicap, Bidgee Elly (gate 12) in the 1005m Maiden Plate, and Dunoon (gate 4) in the 1205m Class Three Handicap.
