UK jockey Saffie Osborne chasing big payday in $1m The Supernova with Chorlton Lane at Pakenham

UK jockey Saffie Osborne doesn’t get too many chances to ride in $1m races back home but says she has a big shot at winning The Supernova at Pakenham on Saturday.

UK jockey Saffie Osborne could be set for her biggest payday in the saddle on Saturday at Pakenham.

Osborne has nine rides, mainly for Ciaron Maher, including Chorlton Lane ($1m The Supernova), Herman Hesse ($300,000 Listed Pakenham Cup) and Running By ($175,000 VOBIS Gold Bullion).

Osborne, who last month started a 12-week Victorian working holiday, has ridden three winners – all for Maher – including the Listed $200,000 Kilmore Cup (1600m).

Million-dollar races like The Supernova, the second leg of Southside Racing’s inaugural slot series, are few and far between in the UK and Ireland where Osborne has predominantly ridden.

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Australia has the most $1m or more races in the world (105 in 2024) compared to 69 in America and 29 across Europe, including the UK and Ireland, according to figures published in the 2025 Aushorse Investor’s Guide.

“We don’t have too many of those ($1m races) in England,” Osborne said.

“Really nice to be getting some really nice rides on Saturday and Chorlton Lane looks like one of those, he’s drawn a really nice barrier in one and his jumpout was very good.

“It’s hard to know what he was beating (in the jumpout) but he did it all very impressively and very easily and work since has been very good.

“He’s really fresh and well, an English horse and English rider together.”

Osbrone’s biggest prizemoney races won previously were Group 3 and Listed events worth about $A150,000.

UK jockeys are entitled to 8.5 per cent of any prizemoney won by their horse.

Australian riders get a five per cent cut of a much larger prizemoney pie.

Chorlton Lane is a $12 chance with Ladbrokes for The Supernova behind Maher-trained favourite Nadal ($2.70), who won the $1m The Meteorite.

Saffie Osborne has ridden three winners in Australia, including Cosmic Vega in the Kilmore Cup. Picture: Brett Holburt/Racing Photos

“Nadal obviously was unbelievably impressive last time but he’s stepping up in trip,” Osborne said.

“I know my horse gets that trip (1400m) well so hopefully that’s to our advantage.

Osborne won races at Caulfield Heath and Bendigo last week, fresh off a 14-day careless riding ban incurred in the Kilmore Cup.

“It’s nice to come from a ban and have a few winners, just hope to keep the ball rolling,” Osborne said.

“I’m really grateful to Ciaron for giving me plenty of opportunities and a nice ride in the Pakenham Cup (Herman Hesse).”

Herman Hesse is $7 in the Pakenham Cup on Saturday for Maher, who has won the Listed feature twice previously with Smokin’ Romans (2021) and Ashrun (2024).

Meanwhile, Running By is $2.50 in the Vobis Gold Bullion (1400m).

“I was down to ride her (Running By) in the Cranbourne Cup (last month) and she drew a really wide gate and they pulled her out and then I think she was favourite for a Group race a week later and ground went heavy so pulled her out again,” Osborne said.

“I’m really happy to be aboard her in what looks a nice race, she’s quite clearly the highest rated horse in there.”

Osborne plans to spend Christmas Day in Sydney with cousins before returning to ride in Melbourne on Boxing Day at Caulfield Heath.

“It’s a bit strange (Christmas) not snowing and being minus-five degrees, but I’m delighted to be here and absolutely loving it.”

Busy Newitt staying home for holidays

Jockey Craig Newitt has more than a share of rascals to deal with.

Newitt is always busy – on and off the track – but especially around Christmas with five boys aged between two and 15.

“Busy. Busy,” Newitt said.

“We normally go back to Tassie but we’ll stay at home this year.

“I’m tipping the pool will get a run (Christmas Day) if the weather is not too bad.”

Newitt sorted out Christmas shopping requirements last Wednesday, before a twilight meeting at Caulfield Heath, to clear the decks for upcoming riding commitments.

The 33-time Group 1 winner is slated to ride at Yarra Valley and Cranbourne on Friday before one ride on Saturday, I’m A Dirty Rascal, in the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m).

He planned to ride Sunday before three days off and return on Boxing Day at Caulfield Heath.

I’m A Dirty Rascal, now trained by Mark Walker, is a $16 chance with Ladbrokes.

Craig Newitt heads to Pakenham for one ride in the cup. Picture: Ross Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Te Akau Racing boss David Ellis paid $95,000 for I’m A Dirty Rascal, formerly owned by Lloyd Williams and trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, in an Inglis Digital auction last month.

Newitt was pleased with I’m A Dirty Rascal’s work earlier in the week at Cranbourne.

“He ran well in the Bendigo Cup and probably ridden upside down run the other day at Flemington.

“First time for Mark, they’re still learning a little bit about him but he’s pretty relaxed … 2500m is going to be no issue.

“He’s shown good ability, hopefully he can run good Saturday.

“I’d be disappointed if he doesn’t run really good Saturday, it looks a pretty good race for him.

“They’re all, not quite pensioners, but their best is behind them it’s fair to say, probably the horse with the best run in transit gets the result and hopefully it’s us.”

Former Irish stayer I’m A Dirty Rascal has placed once in 13 Australian starts to date but run fourth multiple times.

The seven-year-old Galileo gelding has settled into Walker’s system and environment at Cranbourne.

Originally published as UK jockey Saffie Osborne chasing big payday in $1m The Supernova with Chorlton Lane at Pakenham