Jockey lifts curse for 100th win

For nearly two months apprentice jockey Billie-Rose Derbyshire felt like she had a curse stuck on her.

Gatton based apprentice jockey Billie-Rose Derbyshire has knotched up her 100th win. Photo Ali Kuchel / Gatton Star. Picture: Ali Kuchel

FOR nearly two months apprentice jockey Billie-Rose Derbyshire felt like she had a curse stuck on her.

The Gympie resident was fixed on 99 wins, one win away from her milestone of 100.

But she broke her spell last Saturday riding Brenton Andrew (Gatton)-trained maiden filly Royal Hussy to victory at the Gold Coast on a heavy track.

Knowing she'd just notched up her 100th win, Derbyshire, 23, said she was thrilled with the ride.

"I haven't had many rides at the Gold Coast, I've sort of been riding there on and off, so it was good to finally get it," Derbyshire said.

It was a day of firsts: Derbyshire's first win at the Gold Coast along with Royal Hussy's first race and maiden victory.

"It was the horse's first start, it had rained a lot and because it was her first start we weren't sure if she'd handle the wet," Derbyshire said.

"It's a bit of an ask to have their first run on a heavy track..."

Currently based in Gatton and having ridden Royal Hussy throughout her track work training, Derbyshire said it was "pretty cool" to ride the filly in her first race.

Derbyshire's first win was on July 30, 2011 in her maiden career race at Gympie aboard Barry Gill's Noname.

"I was pretty stoked because I'd put a lot of pressure on myself," she said.

Derbyshire has three more provincial wins until she loses her 3kg claim and is aiming to apply for her mid-week metro licence.

She'll take to the saddle on Tornadoes (Brenton Andrew) on Saturday in the Dalby Cannonball Handicap, the same race the gelding won in 2015.