Rising star apprentice jockey Yvette Lewis has just literally burst from nowhere onto the country racing scene in NSW
It may pay to remember this name.
Rising star apprentice jockey Yvette Lewis has just literally burst from nowhere onto the country racing scene in NSW with an astonishing 66% winning success rate.
Sure, that is flattered by the fact she’s only had 3 rides to date, but she has a truck load of style and grace in the saddle.
She won her very first ride on a horse for her Master, Sue Grills, when she piloted Hammoon Dancer home a clear cut winner on 8 June.
“I thought we might be fourth or fifth settling down, but she (Hammoon Dancer) jumped in front and it was good to lead,” she said.
“She settled really well and nothing went around her. Once we were in the straight I didn’t look back, just put my head down and yelled come on girl, come on girl.”
It was a dream start for the adventurous, ambitious, articulate 19 year old who has already scaled the Kokoda Trail, has her P Plates to drive now and just yesterday rode her 2nd winner.
This time aboard one for Tamworth trainer Cody Morgan.
He put her on Buon Natale using her 4kg claim, and boom the $12 chance, stormed away in the straight to win dominantly.
Many, in fact most apprentices take quite a few rides to land a winner – Lewis, from Tingha in NSW – has ridden 2 in her first 3 rides.
Said Sue Grills, “Yvette had been riding a lot of pony clubs before she came to me, but hadn’t done any trackwork riding. So she’s been with me for 2 years now, riding a lot of trackwork and she did very well when it was time to do her barrier trials.
“I knew she would succeed and this start is just wonderful for a lot of people.”
Lewis rides comfortably at 52kg and has shown a great skill at getting her mounts out quickly and getting them to settle.
Her win yesterday on Buon Natale was especially pleasing as riders such as: Greg Ryan; Grant Buckley; Sam Clenton; Ben Looker and Andrew Gibbons were left well in her wake.
