It will be a special family moment if fledgling apprentice Kristen Smart can break through for her initial win aboard Traleika at Nowra on Tuesday.
Traleika, a debutante three-year-old filly trained by Luke Price, tackles the Courting Magic Horse Of Year Maiden (1200m).
The daughter of Bradburys Luck is raced on lease by a syndicate that includes Smart’s grandparents Keith and Lola Daley.
And for former jockey turned trainer Luke Price, the son of leading Nowra trainer Robert Price, the association with the Daleys harks back over a decade.
“I won a few races on a horse Keith and Lola previously owned trained by dad,” Price said.
“Traleika is the first horse they’ve raced in a fair while.
“She’s a nice filly, a jump and run type and hopefully the perfect horse to give Kristen her first win.”
Smart has been associated with the Price stable for three years and been riding trackwork for just over 18 months.
It was Price who taught the 20-year-old how to ride and he is proud of his protege’s progress.
“Kristen could ride ponies when she came to us but as usual, it’s a long process, getting them up to race riding,” Price said.
“She’s ridden a couple of seconds and a fourth recently. She’s ready to break through.
“She’s got a smart head on her and will make the grade.”
Traleika indicated her ability with a long neck second to Alesteem in an 800m Kembla Grange barrier trial on September 7.
“Her trial was good and she’s done everything right since,” Price said.
“Whatever she does tomorrow she’ll improve on but she’s ready to go to the races.
“Traleika’s got good early speed and will be competitive.”
Father Robert saddles up Miss Celebrate in the same event.
Formerly with Gai Waterhouse in Sydney then Mick Price in Melbourne, the Street Cry four-year-old is making an overdue debut.
“She’s got a lot of class but has bad knees, Luke Price said.
“She does most of her work at the beach.
“If we can keep her sound, she’s got a bright future.”
AAP TURF
