Anna Roper has added her name to a very esteemed list by claiming the 2023/24 Rising Star Series.
After returning from a lengthy injury layoff and hitting the ground running, Roper charged up the ladder and cemented victory at Randwick late last month.
Riding for Ciaron Maher, the 21-year-old finished with a well-timed run on board Desiah in the 1250m Benchmark 64 Handicap.
Despite William Stanley coming out and winning the Dubbo heat on February 5, riding Dream Game to victory for trainer Cecil Hodgson in the 1300m Benchmark 58 Handicap, Roper claimed the win after the final heat, meant to be held at Taree on Sunday, was abandoned.
Roper was on track to win the 2022/23 series before injury struck, leading to a nine-month layoff, and she was thrilled to hit back and wrap up some unfinished Rising Star Series business.
“It’s definitely something on every apprentice’s bucket list and another title you can put to your name and something you can say you’ve achieved,” Roper told NSW Country and Picnic Racing.
“It’s really special to win, as I was obviously chasing it last season before I got hurt, and it was a real target and something I wanted to win only to watch my name drop down the leaderboard, which was a bit sad.
“This season, I was focusing on the provincials and not going to bush meetings as much, but I won a couple of heats, and then it became a goal again, and I was lucky enough to finish on top.
“It’s been a good motivator. When you haven’t got any goals, you can get over it a bit, and having that driving me the last couple of months has been good.”
Roper has plenty motivating her, with the 22-year-old leading both the NSW-wide and Provincial apprentice jockey premierships.
With 54 NSW wins, she sits equal with Zac Lloyd in the NSW title, and on the provincial leaderboard, Roper’s 21 victories has her two ahead of Lloyd (19).
“They have been two big goals since the start of the season, and I am looking to outride my provincial claim before moving to Sydney,” Roper said.
“A metro title is another big thing I want to win, but for now, and while I’m riding in the country and at the provincials, I’ll get a bit more of an opportunity to ride than Zac will.
“Still, he is catching me, and we are head-to-head; it should be a good battle.”
Roper is dreaming big and would dearly love to push for 100 winners in a season.
“At the start of the season, Damo (Damien Lane) and I had 50 (wins) in mind and one winner a week, and it only took a couple of weeks to realise that was probably a silly goal,” Roper laughed.
“I hit the ground running, and we have a new goal in mind, and hitting 50 at the six-month mark definitely makes me want to reach 100 by the end of the season.
“I’ll ride where possible, but I had that injury, and I’m fairly injury prone, but it’s definitely a goal and something for me to work towards.”
Roper will be back in the saddle next Friday with a good book of rides at Taree, and only time will tell if the talented hoop can kick on and achieve her goals this season.
2023/24 Rising Star Series leaderboard
35 – Anna Roper
26 – Olivia Chambers
23 – Amy McLucas, Benjamin Osmond
22 – Zac Wadick
18 – Mollie Fitzgerald
13 – Rebecca Bronett-Prag, Beany Panya
12 – Jake Barrett
11 – Zac Lloyd, Hannah Williams
10 – Dylan Gibbons
9 – Chelsea Hillier, Camille Houlgatte, Braith Nock
Leaderboard courtesy of Racing NSW
