Chief Stipe Posted October 8 Share Posted October 8 Riordan answers Te Akau’s call By LOVERACING.NZ News Desk - Joshua Smith - October 8, 2024 Share Australian jockey Liam Riordan will cross the Tasman to ride at Ashburton on Saturday. Photo: Jay Town (Racing Photos) Liam Riordan will add to the growing list of Australian jockeys crossing the Tasman to ride in New Zealand when he heads to Ashburton on Saturday. The 27-year-old Victorian has formed an association with Te Akau Racing through their Cranbourne barn, and he has accepted the invitation of trainer Mark Walker to ride for the stable in New Zealand this weekend. “I have ridden for Te Akau a few times in Melbourne and I am good friends with Ben Gleeson (Cranbourne assistant trainer),” Riordan said. “I pondered with the idea that if the opportunity arose I would go over there (New Zealand) and ride a meeting. “I just happened to run into Mark at the beach and I was talking with him and he asked me to ride five for him this week (at Ashburton). “I have never ridden overseas and I am looking forward to it. I am flying in on Friday and I fly out on Sunday.” Riordan became good friends with Gleeson while he was assistant trainer to Danny O’Brien, who Riordan has enjoyed riding for over the last few seasons. “I am the stable rider for Danny O’Brien here in Melbourne and I have been doing that for the last couple of years, I rode 20 or so winners for him last season so it has been going well,” Riordan said. Riordan is set to partner Group Two performer Dream Of The Moon (All Too Hard) in the Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) on Saturday, and the filly heads into the weekend in good form, having finished runner-up first-up in the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton last month. While Saturday’s meeting is currently a one-off for Riordan, he is hopeful of returning for New Zealand Cup Week next month. “I am hopeful of coming over a bit more often for Te Akau, maybe during the carnival,” he said. “I am able to ride light so that is probably a big asset as well. I will just see how Saturday goes, but hopefully it creates a few opportunities.” Former jockey Michael Coleman will be acting as Riordan’s riding agent while in New Zealand. “Reece (Trumper, Te Akau racing manager) put me onto Michael Coleman and he has been looking after my rides,” Riordan said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murray Fish Posted October 8 Share Posted October 8 Low? by how many? <-- asking for southislandriders Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huey Posted October 8 Share Posted October 8 Should read Quality Jockey Numbers are low , thats why they are flying them in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murray Fish Posted October 9 Share Posted October 9 6 hours ago, Huey said: Should read Quality Jockey Numbers are low , thats why they are flying them in. and slowly the numbers down this way decline. Apprentices struggle to get enough rides to learn... Seniors, dear I say 'most' would be way better off riding work for one of the big players over AU. Normal now if you come from a inter generational jockey family, then you too will be sent over the ditch... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
All The Aces Posted October 10 Share Posted October 10 Low???? We are inundated with jockeys at present and more are set to arrive from offshore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murray Fish Posted October 10 Share Posted October 10 2 hours ago, All The Aces said: Low???? We are inundated with jockeys at present how many are needed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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