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‘On Track’ for classic carnival

KIRK Manoukian has only called Grafton home for three months and already he is the face of racing.

Jockeys Kirk Manoukian and Ben Looker. Photo: Adam Hourigan / The Daily Examiner. Picture: Adam Hourigan
Jockeys Kirk Manoukian and Ben Looker. Photo: Adam Hourigan / The Daily Examiner. Picture: Adam Hourigan

KIRK Manoukian has only called Grafton home for three months and already he is the face of racing.

Well, not exactly the face - that title officially belongs to 2014 Lady of the Carnival Emma Binns.

But last week Manoukian and boom local jockey Ben Looker tried their hand at modelling as part of Grafton Shoppingworld's Fashions On The Field section in The Daily Examiner's annual publication of everything you need to know for the July Racing Carnival.

'On Track' will be delivered to your doorstep inside The Daily Examiner on Saturday, June 21.

Manoukian and Looker will make an appearance in the magazine, among several of the Clarence Valley's slender beauties in the fashion pages.

"They'll be towering over us," Manoukian said before the shoot.

"But what can you do? Their height's got them their job and our height got us our jobs."

In truth, Manoukian is one of the taller jockeys going around, standing at 170 centimetres. Perhaps this is why it was not an obvious calling as a keen racegoer who did not start riding until he gave up his desk job aged 25.

"Fashions is a big part of racing, especially at the Melbourne and Sydney carnivals," Manoukian, originally from Melbourne, said.

"Getting people through the gate, punting and having a good time is what it's all about really."

Apprenticed to Cathy Chapman, Manoukian rode his first winner since he moved to Grafton on Creme De La Creme at Lismore on May 24 for local trainer Robina Todd.

In one month he will experience his first July Carnival.

"It will be big," Manoukian predicted.

"I'd expect the big trainers, the big jockeys and a big show.

"No matter where you're from, if you're into racing to some degree in Australia, you know the Ramornie Handicap. It's got prestige.

"Horses that win the Ramornie are horses that go to town."

While Grafton will become inundated with the who's who of racing, Manoukian will be doing all he can to secure some rides over the five races, starting one month from today with the Westlawn Finance Prelude Day and wrapping up with the Maclean Cup Family Day on Sunday, July 13.

"As an apprentice you take every opportunity," he said

"I'll just try to enjoy the experience really. I might only get one ride."

Ben Looker, on the other hand, has earned his stripes in Grafton.

He also has more modelling experience than Manoukian - he was involved in a similar exercise a few years ago.

"I did a photoshoot for the carnival when I was about 17," Looker said when he arrived at the DEX offices.

Looker was first indentured to leading Grafton trainer John Shelton before a four-month stint in Sydney for Gai Waterhouse and finished his apprenticeship in Brisbane.

Now 23, he has ridden with some success across July in recent years, including several winners, and can expect some quality rides next month. However, a big feature still eludes him.

"Last year I ran second in the Two-Year-Old Plate and second in the Guineas, so it was a frustrating couple of days," Looker said.

"But I've always had a bit of luck. I'm lucky I get a lot of support from the local trainers.

"I came fifth with Border Rebel in the Ramornie in 2011. Being a Grafton boy it would be great to win a Grafton Cup or a Ramornie."

Originally published as ‘On Track’ for classic carnival

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/grafton/sport/on-track-for-classic-carnival/news-story/74fd256fb70ad42f4ef450d03d26a1fd