Journalists Wandering Eyes Posted Thursday at 11:13 PM Journalists Share Posted Thursday at 11:13 PM Ipswich-based apprentice Olivia Kendal aboard Ankle Rolex for Darwin trainer Patrick Johnston before they combined to seal victory at Fannie Bay last December. (Picture: Caroline Camilleri – Fotofinish Racepix) After getting a win during her first and only appearance in Darwin last December, Ipswich apprentice Olivia Kendal hopes to repeat the dose on debut at Alice Springs on Saturday. Kendal will feature in five of the six races, with the form guide suggesting the 26-year-old could achieve success. Terry Gillett’s Great Buy and Floral Code as well as Kevin Lamprecht’s Down The Wicket are strong contenders, and the fact that Kendal can claim 3kg enhances her prospects. “Terry seems confident about Great Buy, who is first up after a spell,” she said. “Kevin’s horse has nice Victorian form, but it’s racing in Alice for the first time on a different surface. “When I was in Darwin, I had a good day — a winner, a second and a third from five rides. “I’ve had a couple of injuries since then, but I’m looking forward to returning to the NT. “Getting the experience to ride the opposite way is probably a big highlight. “It’s a different style of racing up there, I’ve been asked to go up a couple of times. “To adapt to the type of racing wherever I go is really a key attribute to have as a jockey.” Days before heading to Darwin, Kendal broke her thumb following a fall at Rockhampton. Not long after making her return from that injury, she broke her collarbone following another fall at Townsville in April. Injury has sidelined Kendal on five occasions, with the apprentice estimating she has only spent 14 months in the saddle since making her debut at Gatton in May 2021. “Terry called me on Monday night about riding in Alice, I made the decision to go after all the rain we’ve had here in south-east Queensland,” Kendal said. “I probably would have ridden at Toowoomba on Saturday, but they’re basically guaranteed to race in Alice.” Based at Wanora — 18km north of Ipswich — Kendal has no issue travelling and enjoyed a win at Rockhampton on Tuesday. “I love it here, it’s a really good spot,” she said. “I’m pretty central, close to Toowoomba, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast, while Gatton, Kilcoy, Beaudesert, Warwick and Esk aren’t far away.” Gold Coast jockey Wanderson D’Avila, who had three wins and a second on his Darwin debut on Melbourne Cup Day before sealing another win at Fannie Bay last Saturday, also rides at Alice Springs for the first time this weekend. He has six rides, with Ray Viney’s stablemates Sabie Falls, Isolyfe and Duty his best hopes. With NT jockeys Stan Tsaikos, Ianish Luximon and Aaron Sweeney suspended, Wangaratta apprentice Jessica Booth and Adelaide apprentice Monika Wolanin return for the Alice Springs meeting. Horse racing news View the full article Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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