Apprentice Tayla Childs, daughter of retired champion jockey Greg Childs, has produced a front-running ride on a wet and wintry day at Bendigo to snare a milestone first win of her riding career.
Childs, 24, had her first race ride two months ago at Echuca for her boss, Caulfield trainer John Moloney, finishing second on Black Opal.
The apprentice had had two more second placings in her next 11 race rides before breaking through for her first win in a 1300m race on a heavy track on Friday aboard the George Osborne-trained Reine Happy.
Friday’s race was a heat of the Rising Stars Series in Victoria for apprentice jockeys.
Childs pressed forward on the eight-year-old gelding from a wide barrier to take up the lead on the usual front-runner and Reine Happy strode along and opened a big lead in the heavy conditions by the time the field entered the home straight.
Favourite Lake’s Folly was eating into the margin with every stride as Reine Happy started to tire late but he held on to score narrowly.
Childs is the twin sister of Group One-winning jockey Jordan Childs while their father Greg’s illustrious career in the saddle included winning two Cox Plates on champion mare Sunline.