Parish a real stayer

Veteran Tassie hoop wins again

JOCKEY Dianne Parish must be admired for her courage and determination as she strives to remain competitive in Tasmania’s riding ranks.

Parish had her first ride in a race in Tasmania before most of her fellow female riders were born.

But unlike the others, Parish cut her teeth as a jumps jockey as well as being proficient on the flat and of late she has been finding the winner’s circle regularly, riding a winner at each of the last four meetings in Devonport, of which the latest was Gee Gee Silentnite last Sunday.

She returned to riding 18 months ago after a lengthy break due to personal reasons but in December last year she broke her knee in a freak barrier incident in Launceston, but she still finished the race and weighed in after her mount finished fifth.

It was a tricky break that took a lot longer to heal than expected (five months), but she was counting the days before finally returning to riding in May.

Parish, 53, lives at George Town but she thinks nothing of the 200km round trip to Spreyton and that’s up to seven times a week.

Her work ethic and sheer determination has prolonged her career and much to the delight of trainer Michael Trinder and Team Wells, for whom she rides trackwork regularly.

Parish’s ride aboard Gee Gee Silentnite ($10) was outstanding last Sunday and even though it was her only win from five rides her winner was the shortest priced of the quintet.

Parish and Tasmanian Hall of Fame jockey Bev Buckingham are the greatest of mates and now that Buckingham is back living in Tasmania, she is a regular at the Devonport meetings and nobody is cheering louder than Bev when Parish boots one home.

CODI JORDAN looks set to take out the Tasmanian apprentices’ premiership even if she doesn’t ride a winner at the last meeting of the season at Elwick on Sunday.

Jordan has amassed 36 wins but is two behind Kyle Maskiell who is serving an eight-month suspension.

But according to rules associated with premierships, any rider who has been suspended for two months or more is ineligible to win a premiership.

Jordan has been on 36 wins for the past five weeks, and she is determined to win the title in her own right and that will all come down to how she performs at Elwick on Sunday.

“I’ve got some really good rides on Sunday so I’m hoping to turn the losing streak around and win this title outright,” Jordan said.

PETER STAPLES IS ALSO EMPLOYED BY TASRACING.