Siena Grima continues to chip away at Braith Nock’s premiership lead as the race for the Sydney apprentices’ title adds an intriguing addendum to the final weeks of the season.
Last year’s champion junior rider, Nock drew first blood at Rosehill on Saturday with a Highway Handicap (1500m) victory aboard Portofino ($7.50 according to leading Aussie betting sites), before Grima clawed back courtesy of a double for boss Chris Waller aboard Tarzing ($3.60) and Surf’s Up ($2.70 favourite).
A few races later, she combined with Matthew Smith to take out the Schweppes Handicap (1200m) on Ready To Shine.
With nine metropolitan meetings of the 2025-26 racing term remaining, Grima has now ridden 28 city winners to inch to within two of Nock, and she has the backing of Sydney’s most powerful stable behind her.
Waller’s assistant trainer and former champion jockey, Darren Beadman, says the battle between Grima and Nock is a great spectacle for the sport.
“She is making a good go of it. It’s great for racing to have a bit of competition like this over the last month,” Beadman said.
“Braith has done a tremendous job last year, and to continue on into the next season being strong.”
Beadman is mentoring Grima during her tenure and reserved special praise for her effort on Surf’s Up in Saturday’s Find Your Eternal Warrior @ The Chase Handicap (1400m).
After advising her to replicate her previous winning ride on Tarzing when she stalked the speed, he was happy to see her back her own judgement when the early part of the race changed complexion.
“I told her to bang her out and copy-paste last ride, just in behind the lead, but when she elected to let (jockey) Anna Roper cross her and be three pairs back on the fence, that was the winning move,” Beadman said.
“She could have kept holding her spot and using gas all the way.
“A ride beyond her years of riding, and she was strong at the finish.”
Grima has made no secret of her desire to overhaul Nock and win the Sydney apprentices’ premiership and if she can claim it, will become the fourth female to do so after Kathy O’Hara (2004-05), Winona Costin (2014-15) and Rachel King in 2017-18.
“It’s going to be really exciting. He’s a great opponent,” Grima said.
