Ertijaaj, trained by Chris Waller, triumphed in the race established in memory of Izzy Neale, the 22-year-old apprentice jockey who tragically passed away on Tuesday due to head injuries sustained in a race fall.
Charlie Duckworth, the racing manager for the celebrated trainer Chris Waller, was momentarily without words when asked to convey his emotions after Ertijaaj secured victory in the Izzy’s Gift Benchmark 78 Handicap over 1400 metres.
“I didn’t know Izzy so it is hard for me to comment,” Duckworth remarked. “But being married to Kathy (O’Hara) and when she fell in the Oaks and I was running down the track, I can vaguely get a glimmer of the emotion that would be going through the (Neale) family. It is a tough, tough game and I don’t know how anyone can put this (tragedy) into words, really.”
The Neale family issued a statement on Tuesday, which stated in part:
“Izzy rode horses before she could walk. Her love of horses was a lifelong passion that, more recently, had grown into a love of racing. Through organ donation, Izzy will give others the chance of life, bringing some comfort to our family amid this devastating loss. We are deeply grateful for the love, kindness and support shown to Izzy and our family by her friends, the racing community and everyone who has been by our side during this heartbreaking time.”
Siena Grima, a star apprentice, was understandably overcome with emotion following her ride aboard Ertijaaj ($8.50), guiding the mare to a win by a length and a quarter over Live ($6.50), with Beside The Ocean ($11) finishing a further length behind in third.
Regal Problem, a $2 favourite, was heavily backed but could not make an impact at the finish.
Ertijaaj is recognised as one of the best-bred mares in training. The five-year-old, bred in England under northern hemisphere time, is by the champion sire Night Thunder and is out of Estijaab, the winner of the 2018 Golden Slipper.
“She is a really talented horse but can be her own worst enemy,” Duckworth explained. “She is in a hurry to go nowhere and has let herself down her last two runs by going too keen. From the inside draw we told Siena to leave her alone entirely for the first 200m or so, find cover and let her get into her rhythm. Because we know she has a very good turn of foot if we get the first half of the race right. She was impressive today and is making nice progression.”
“I will have him out tomorrow morning on the water walker and will pick him up on Wednesday. If he’s in good order we will look at The Gong.”
The betting markets for the upcoming The Gong are now open at online bookmakers.