Trainer Pat Duff says apprentice jockey Beany Panya should be given a metropolitan licence

RESPECTED trainer Pat Duff believes Beany Panya can become one of his best apprentices and says it’s a travesty she hasn’t been given a metropolitan licence.

Respected trainer Pat Duff says apprentice jockey Beany Panya (left) should be given a metropolitan riding licence. Picture credit: Trackside Photography.

RESPECTED trainer Pat Duff believes Beany Panya can become one of his best apprentices and says it’s a travesty she hasn’t been given a metropolitan licence.

Panya came to Queensland in March because she was starved of opportunity in Sydney and despite thriving under Deagon-based Duff she now faces the same struggle to continue taking her rising career forward.

Duff applied for a metropolitan licence for Panya but it was rejected by the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission last month.

“I’m pushing for her to get a metropolitan licence and at this stage I’m a little bit at odds with the racing authority because I think she is well and truly up in the range,” Duff said.

“They are holding her back at the moment and I don’t believe it’s correct but that’s for them to decide.”

Duff, who has trained horses for over 50 years, is experienced in unearthing and moulding apprentice jockeys.

He was the master of Mick Dittman, Mike Pelling and Jim Byrne who all won a Brisbane jockeys’ premiership while Mandy Radecker went on to win the apprentice’s title.

“I have had a lot of good apprentices through my hands and the annoying thing to me is that after having so many top apprentices, when I make an application for an upgrade someone who would have a quarter of my experience is telling me whether they can or they can’t.”

Panya’s twin sister Deanna has be turning heads in Sydney and ridden seven winners in the past month.

Duff said Beany could be just as good and if given the opportunity she could reach the same heights as Radecker.

“She rates very well. I think that Beany, given the opportunity, can measure up to that standard (of Radecker),” Duff said.

“Her results have been very pleasing and she has gone really well for me.”

Panya is no stranger to doing it tough and said the hurdle wouldn’t stop her from pushing forward.

“As much as it would be good (to get a metropolitan licence) it doesn’t make me lose confidence,” Panya said.

“I just think if I keep being persistent and patient that is the most important part.”

Panya will ride two of Duff’s three runners on the Gold Coast today including Fasta Than Light and Lost Thief while Brooke Ainsworth will ride his other — King Of The Castle.

Fasta Than Light is coming off back-to-back wins on sand tracks in Gympie and Bundaberg and is rated by Duff as his best chance of a win today.

“He handles the sand and soft ground and I thought the (Gold Coast) track would be in one way or another rain affected,” Duff said.

“He has also raced well on the grass and I’d say he is an in-form horse so you would imagine he would have to give us a good go.”

The QRIC declined to comment on the matter.