RAQUEL Clark achieved the rare feat of landing a winner with her first ride when former Victorian galloper Rueason scored at Spreyton on Sunday.
Clark gave Rueason a perfect run in the Stridemaster (Bm62) Handicap at his first start for new trainer Barry Campbell.
The 21-year-old apprentice said that Rueason was always travelling well and she had been confident of winning until the closing stages – when the reality of what she was about to achieve hit home.
“When I was still in front getting close to the finish, I kept thinking that there had to be something coming from behind that would catch me,” she said.
But there wasn’t and Rueason scored by almost a length from Serengeti Miss, with Sister Quest a nose away third.
Clark has been with the Campbell stable at Spreyton for almost six months but has been riding trackwork for much longer.
“I started riding work at Longford about two years ago, mainly as a freelance and for my brother Dylan,” she said.
“I was happy just riding work until I woke up one day, about eight months ago, and thought ‘I want to ride in races’.”
Clark then had a solid grounding at the trials – riding in about 50 – before making her race debut.
She had plenty of vocal support as she crossed the line, with family and friends hiring a bus to get everyone to the track.
By Greg Mansfield (Examiner)
Related links:
- Watch the replay on Tasracing.com.au
- Race results
- News: Hayley wins again
- News: Ex-jockey lands overdue win