It's ladies' day on metropolitan tracks as Kathy and Katelyn take up and meet all challenges

WHO would have thought it would happen so quickly? Ken Callander poses the question.

Kathy O'Hara after winning on Hood at Warwick Farm on Saturday.

WHO would have thought it would happen so quickly? The top jockeys in Sydney and Melbourne on Saturday, the winners of the jockey's challenges, were both female, Kathy O'Hara in Sydney and Katelyn Mallyon in Melbourne.

O'Hara notched eight points with a winning double on Divertire and Let's Rock'N'Roll plus a second on Kasiano Lad to beat Kerrin McEvoy and Glyn Schofield while Mallyon, with a winning double on Miss Maggiebeel and Amaethon, scored six points to dead heat with Brad Rawiller who had a win, a second and a third.

I've got mates who still won't back lady jockeys. They are kidding. I used to be a disbeliever, but I have been cured.

O'Hara is definitely in the top 10 pilots in Sydney and Mallyon shows as much promise as any junior jockey in Australia.

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I know I am in the minority, but I think Nathan Berry rides as good as Tommy.

His winning ride on Unencumbered in the Magic Millions was a gem and did you notice who he gained a run inside of at the top of the straight? None other than young Tom aboard Echo Gal, who had well and truly spent her pennies by that point.

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It is too silly for words that a top grade Gosford meeting with the Cup, the Belle Of The Turf and the Takeover Target Stakes was run on Friday while a mediocre meeting with second tier horses contested a mediocre meeting at Warwick Farm on Saturday.

To not give Gosford a stand alone Saturday meeting smacks of favouritism, when Hawkesbury and Scone, with no more appealing meetings, get stand alone Saturdays. I am sure Racing NSW chairman John Messara and his board will have noted this year's situation.

We are in the entertainment industry and the public is more important than the participants. Thousands more would have gone to Gosford on Saturday than Warwick Farm and thousands more dollars would have been invested on the good horses.

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The ATC desperately needs to look at what has happened to Sydney's Summer racing, with December-January formerly one of the most vibrant times on the racing calendar with the Villiers-Summer Cup double leading into the Tatt's Cup and Carrington Stakes then the Challenge Stakes and Anniversary Handicap on the Australia Day weekend.

The only word to describe the racing, the crowds and the atmosphere in Sydney this Summer is abysmal. Remember when top Villiers runners stepped up to the 2000m of Tatt's Cup a week or 10 days later and the top sprinters in training ran in the Challenge before going to Melbourne for the Lightning Stakes and Oakleigh Plate?

Remember when Summer racing was promoted and meant something?

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I am continually amazed at Gai Waterhouse's energy and promotional ability and the clients she brings to racing. When she heard there was an American multi, Jon Kelly, at the Millions she quickly pointed out to Gerry Harvey she was the main spender at the sales and should be introduced.

The result was Kelly joined forces with Lady Gai in a $1 million Redoute's Choice colt, which was one of 39 yearlings bought by Racing's First Lady for $8,235,000 and you can add on the 15 bought for $2,065,000 by her new syndication arm, Round Table Syndications.

The scary part is the Millions is just the start of the Sales merry-go-round with New Zealand, Melbourne and Sydney at Easter yet to come.

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RIDE OF THE DAY

Kathy O'Hara on Let's Rock'N'Roll. Showed common sense when Social Rank was intent on denying her the early lead.

RUN OF THE DAY

Divertire. A return to form of a mare with ability. Staying will be her game.

FORGET IT RAN

Field Marshall. Time to forget him. Has had too many chances of late.