Having successful former jockeys as parents hasn’t added to the pressure on talented New Zealand apprentice Maija Vance who landed her first Australian winner at Doomben on Saturday.
Vance is the daughter of Bob and Jenny Vance who both made names for themselves in the saddle in New Zealand.
Bob Vance is best known as the rider of 1993 Cox Plate winner The Phantom Chance. The same year he finished second on the Gai Waterhouse-trained Te Akau Nick in the Melbourne Cup won by Vintage Crop.
Jenny Vance was also a successful rider, winning more than 400 races during her career before turning to training.
Maija Vance, who celebrates her 21st birthday on the same day in May as her mother, was having only her fifth ride in Australia when she won aboard the Barry Baldwin-trained Paris Blu.
Vance produced a stylish display on Paris Blu who claimed the Class Six Plate (1200m) by a long neck over Sinister Prince.
Vance has ridden 78 winners in her homeland but has decided to take up a three-month trial period in Brisbane with Lawrie Mayfield-Smith.
“I’m here on a three month loan but I would love to stay to ride permanently,” Vance said.
“It’s been a pretty good start so far as this was only my second race meeting.
“I had my first ride over here and rode a placegetter at Ipswich on Friday and I had a ride at Eagle Farm last Wednesday but it was scratched.
“I had three rides and I’ve got my first winner here so it’s great.”
Vance said having such well known parents had not put any undue pressure on her career.
“They have never pressured me at any stage since I began riding,” Vance said.
“I’ve only got one kilo left on my claim back home but by coming here to Brisbane I can still claim three kilos.
“It’s a lot hotter here naturally so it will be good to keep my weight under control.”
Baldwin was impressed with Vance’s performance and predicted she could go a long way riding in Queensland.
AAP TURF
