Racing Confidential: Female riders to the fore at Randwick

The Daily Telegraph’s Racing Editor Ray Thomas glances his eye over some of the more interesting points in racing.

Alysha Collett is one of eight female riders at Randwick on Saturday

When was the last Sydney Saturday meeting to have eight female riders in the jockeys’ room?

At Royal Randwick on Saturday, the riding ranks include Alysha Collett, Winona Costin, Anna Roper, Mikayla Weir, Molly Bourke, Amy McLucas, Siena Grima and Rebecca Bronett Prag.

It’s a significant day for apprentices Grima and Bronett Prag as they are having their first rides at the famous Sydney racetrack.

Anna Roper is one of eight female riders at Randwick on Saturday

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AMERICAN billionaire John Stewart is a late “scratching” from the Magic Millions Yearling Sale on the Gold Coast next week.

Stewart was due to fly out for the sale but announced on social media that “a family emergency requires me to return to the US immediately”.

At the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale last year, Stewart was the underbidder on the Pierro-Winx filly, going to $9 million before Debbie Kepitis made her ultimately successful $10 million bid. Stewart still spent $5.4 million on six yearlings at Easter.

Meanwhile, the American debut of former top Sydney filly Tutta La Vita, did not go as planned last Sunday.

Tutta La Vita, a Group 1 placegetter by The Autumn Sun, was purchased by Stewart for $3.2 million at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale last year and is now trained by Ignacio Correas.

She made her American debut at Gulfstream Park and finished second but it was declared a no race as the emergency siren was sounded by mistake during the race and some jockeys pulled their horses out of the contest.

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ROYAL Randwick continues to shoulder a heavy workload for Sydney racing over summer and this weekend hosts its fourth successive Saturday meeting.

Randwick also raced on Boxing Day but Racing NSW chief steward Steve Railton said the track has “raced terrific” during the holiday season.

Track manager Michael Wood and his staff deserve credit for ensuring a fair and even Rosehill track surface in recent weeks.

The rail is out 3m on Saturday after being in the true position last week.

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CHAD Schofield has been clocking up the frequent flyer points since Christmas.

Schofield rode at Randwick on Boxing Day, then flew to Eagle Farm last Saturday and won on Space Rider, before making the trip to Western Australia to ride 2020 English Derby winner Serpentine who ran near last in the Perth Cup and has subsequently been retired.

The talented jockey, who won two Group 1 races on emerging superstar Ceolwulf (Epsom Handicap and King Charles III Stakes) during the spring carnival, is off to the Gold Coast on Saturday where he has four rides.

Space Rider dashes away under Chad Schofield to win the QTIS 2YO handicap at Eagle Farm for jockey Chad Schofield. Picture: Grant Peters - Trackside Photography

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RACING Confidential extends its condolences to two-time Golden Slipper-winning trainer Gary Portelli, after the passing of his mother, Morveen, earlier this week. She was 78.

Morveen Portelli was one of the first woman to get a trainer’s licence in NSW and was integral to her son forging a successful training career.

Mrs Portelli died on Tuesday and the following day Gary prepared Walkin’talkin’ to win at Canterbury on New Year’s Day.

Walkin'talkin's victory today was an emotional one for @GaryPortelli 💕@aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/Y93U5sE6eN

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 1, 2025

Originally published as Racing Confidential: Female riders to the fore at Randwick