‘Billy the Kid’ coming home

[Wandering Eyes]

Wiremu Pinn will be a welcome addition to the New Zealand jockey ranks, with the talented hoop returning to his homeland after a stint riding in Melbourne.

Initially heading across the Tasman in June last year for a three-month period to test the water, Pinn made an instant impact in the Victorian riding ranks and elected to stay on for what he intended to be a permanent move.

Pinn’s partner Tayla Mitchell soon joined him in Melbourne after securing last season’s New Zealand apprentice jockey premiership, with the dream of also riding in Melbourne.

However, it has proven difficult for Mitchell to attain a license and the couple decided to return to New Zealand where they can both pursue their riding careers.

“Tayla had been over with me for five or six months and really struggled to get her license. She is passionate about the sport and she loves raceday riding. The move back was more to support her,” Pinn said.

“It was a tough decision, I had been going pretty well over there and had some great support from some big stables.

“It was a good learning experience. Getting to meet new people and see the different tracks really taught me a lot. I think I have taken my riding to that next level, but I still have a lot to learn. I am happy with my progress.”

Pinn had several highlights in Australia, headed by his victory aboard the New Zealand-bred Dolphin Skin in the Listed Taj Rossi Series Final (1600m) at Flemington in July.

“Winning a stakes race at Flemington as an apprentice was my biggest thrill,” he said. “It is hard enough getting rides over there being an apprentice, let alone a stakes race, so it was a big thrill. Riding a treble on a Saturday was another big highlight.”

While Pinn has moved back to New Zealand, he may not be completely lost to Australian racing, with the 25-year-old rider keen to spend some time back across the Tasman over the colder months.

“I would like to go over every winter if possible. I am not a big fan of the winter here in New Zealand,” he said.

Pinn didn’t let the dust settle when he arrived back in New Zealand on Sunday night, heading to Ellerslie on Monday morning to get a feel for its new StrathAyr track, with racing set to return to the Auckland venue this coming Sunday.

“I just finished riding gallops at Ellerslie this morning and it is in great order, it is like a carpet,” he said. “They have done a really good job with it, so I am looking forward to getting back there and riding races.”

With the growth of prizemoney and the lure of the upcoming TAB Karaka Millions meeting at Ellerslie, Pinn is excited to be back racing in New Zealand.

“It is awesome. They have done a great job with the industry boosting the prizemoney. You can’t do anything without money so it’s great,” he said.

“I am looking forward to the Karaka Millions meeting, it is like the Melbourne Cup of New Zealand, everyone wants to be there and it is a great meeting to ride at. I can’t wait.

“Hopefully I can get some rides up there, that would be good. Galloping on the track this morning, it is like a carpet, so there will be no excuses.”

Pinn and Mitchell will be looking to base themselves in Matamata, but Pinn said it’s a case of ‘have saddle, will travel’ for the couple.

“I have missed home, so it is good to be back,” he said.

“It is good to be home and to see my son and spend some time with him and see all of my mates.

“We are going to have a look at some houses in Matamata. We wanted to live in Cambridge but there is not much on the market at the moment. It is only 20 minutes from Cambridge, so I can drive there each morning.

“Australia taught me to work a bit harder. All the big jockeys are there (track) every morning, so whoever needs me I’ll show up.”

New Zealand racing fans won’t have to wait long to see Pinn back riding at a New Zealand track, with the soon to be Matamata-based jockey set to ride Beautiful Spirit in the Prima Park 1050 at his new home track on Wednesday.

“I have got one ride at Matamata and we will go from there. Chris McNab will be doing my rides,” he said.

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