BACK IN HARNESS: PARISH RETURN TO RACING A WELCOME BOOST

WHEN jockey Dianne Parish retired six years ago she was hesitant about selling off her riding gear, so she must have known subconsciously that she would make a comeback.

So, at age 51, Parish will make her return to race riding in Hobart on Sunday where she will partner the Brendan McShane-trained Lucille in a maiden over 1200m.

Tasmania’s riding ranks are at their lowest for many years but it isn’t the jockey shortage that has enticed Parish to come out of retirement.

“I stopped riding in 2012 because I thought it was the right time to hang up the boots but I didn’t ever say it was forever,” Parish said.

“I absolutely loved race riding. I was making a living out of something that I loved doing.

“A few months ago, I went back to riding trackwork for Michael Trinder at Spreyton and rode a couple for Barry Campbell from time to time.

“Then Michael [Trinder] broke his shoulder and I ended up going from one or two mornings a week to six days while he was recuperating. I thought after a while I loved it so much I might as well consider renewing my jockey’s licence.

“I don’t expect to get a lot of rides first up but hopefully I can get to the stage where I’ve got a few rides each meeting.”

Parish was apprenticed at age 19 to former Tasmanian Tony Krushka who set up stables in Victoria in 1986, soon after Parish joined his George Town stable.

It was in Melbourne that Parish landed her first winner, Derring Fleet at Pakenham in December, 1986.

“I suppose you could say I started my career in Victoria with Tony [Krushka] and I was with him for quite a while and I rode over the jumps as well.

“I think I only had 120 rides as an apprentice because that was at a time [1986-89] when female riders were just starting to make their way into racing as professionals.

“I was very determined when I started out riding and, had I not been that way inclined, I probably wouldn’t have lasted as long as I did.”

Like most budding young jockeys, Parish dreamt of riding at Flemington and she achieved that goal.

“I had a dream to ride in a Melbourne Cup but the closest I got was riding Curiosity Style into second place in a steeplechase at Flemington over 3200m.

“It didn’t quite tick the box but I loved every minute of riding at the headquarters of racing in Victoria.”

After Parish retired in 2012, she kept in touch with Tasmanian racing through her association with the Trinder family and no doubt Michael will be putting her on some of his horses in the coming weeks.

“I’ve been doing most of the trackwork on Spihro — that is one of Michael’s in-form horses, so I’m looking forward to the chance to ride him in a race soon,” she said.

Parish isn’t sure how the industry will respond to a 51year-old female rider making a comeback.

“I had a bit of success over the years, so it will be interesting to see if trainers are prepared to give me a go.

“But if I can snare a winner or two early on, it will increase my chances.”

Parish doesn’t expect any more than the one ride in Hobart on Sunday but it could be a different story when racing returns to Devonport the following week.

I was very determined when I started out riding and, had I not been that way inclined, I probably wouldn’t have lasted as long as I did

DIANNE PARISH