It has been a phenomenal twelve months for the accomplished apprentice jockey Siena Grima, and she is set to experience another career highlight by competing at The Everest day meeting for the first time.
Since making the significant move to transfer her indentures to leading trainer Chris Waller late last year – a lifelong ambition realized – Grima has capitalised on every opportunity. She secured the Sydney apprentices’ title and achieved a Group 1 win in the Epsom Handicap aboard God’s Window during her first Group 1 ride.
The connections of God’s Window have provided a substantial vote of confidence, retaining the junior rider for Saturday’s major $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) at Randwick, and Grima is still processing the reality of the situation.
“I thought maybe one day in my career I might get a chance to ride in a Group One, let alone have won one already,” Grima expressed. “So to go again in another one and on a brilliant horse like him against Autumn Glow and Pride of Jenni and Militarise, it’s very exciting. Twelve months ago I was still in the bush.”
On Everest day last year, Grima was engaged at the NSW provincial meeting at Newcastle and observed the Sydney action from the jockeys’ room there. She was still apprenticed to her initial trainer, Tamworth-based Mel O’Gorman, whom she credits for her foundational training before Grima attracted the attention of Waller and his assistant trainer, former champion jockey Darren Beadman.
Beadman is her go-to for advice on how to approach Saturday’s race. Given the presence of the speedy mare Pride Of Jenni, the race is anticipated to be run at a high tempo, and the small field will demand considerable tactical astuteness.
“Darren’s expertise is on another level, so I’d love to be able to sit down with them. I’d say I will beforehand, and then again just before we go out, have another little conversation, see what Chris wants to do as well and judge the best path forward,” Grima elaborated. “But if I can hold a comfortable spot closer than where he normally races and travel well, I know him well enough to know when to get on my bike. I was glad to see a nice barrier draw for him. He can jump well so he can put himself in a nice spot. Obviously, Pride Of Jenni is in it, so that will make it a real spectacle, a real test of stamina, but I’m really looking forward to it.”
God’s Window began his racing career in England, and Grima was the first Australian jockey to partner him when he made his local debut 13 months ago. She has ridden the gelding in half of his 12 starts for Waller. While her familiarity with the horse has undoubtedly played a role in her retaining the mount, Grima acknowledges the significance for an apprentice to be part of a six-horse field in a $5 million, weight-for-age race.
“The fact I know him so well did play a part in me picking up the ride,” she stated. “But to be put back on him in such a big race is confidence filling. He’s come back a really nice horse this ‘prep’. His first-up run was enormous and then he backed that up into the Epsom and put in such a big run. I was worried that might have taken it out of him, but I’ve seen him over the last few days at trackwork and he’s feeling enormous, so I’m really excited to see how he will go.”
God’s Window is one of three mounts for Grima at Randwick, with Miss Black Betty in the Group 3 Reginald Allen Quality (1400m) and Estremo in the final race also on her schedule.
Punters can find competitive betting markets for the King Charles III Stakes with Australian betting sites.