Champion New Zealand apprentice Rory Hutchings has broken through for his first win across the Tasman, steering Lucy’s Look to victory at Rosehill.
The 20-year-old is testing himself out in Australia for a few weeks with a view to a more permanent move.
Lucy’s Look
He is on loan to Jim and Greg Lee but will do much of his riding for Chris Waller, the trainer of Saturday’s winner of the TAB Rewards (1400m) for three-year-old fillies.
On his way to a third New Zealand apprentices’ title, Hutchings can still claim 1.5kg in Sydney with many of his NZ wins at what are classed as lower tier meetings in Australia.
“I’m here for six weeks and I’ll play it out and see how it is,” Hutchings said.
“If things go well then I would like to stay.
“I’m about 30 in front in the premiership in New Zealand but if I come over here I can extend my apprenticeship for another 12 months.
“It’s great to get my first winner.”
The winner came from last on the turn to beat Berry Delicious by a short neck.
Waller’s racing manager Liam Prior said the filly’s ability belied her $21 starting price.
“She is a filly we have had an opinion about for some time,” he said.
“She appreciated being back on a better surface today than her last start when she failed in the wet.”
