Little Lady poised to make big impact
JOCKEY Nikita Beriman wasn’t sure she would ever have the chance to win her second Group 1 race and if Lady Horseowner salutes in the Blue Diamond Stakes this afternoon she’ll savour the victory.
Beriman said she would appreciate a second Group 1 win much more than the Emirates Stakes she won on Tears I Cry at $101 as a 21year-old in 2007.
“There’s nothing I want more to win another Group 1 race,” Beriman said.
“I’m older, I’m more mature and have a better understanding of racing and how it is.
“I would appreciate it a whole lot more as a 32-yearold than as a 21-year-old.”
Since the Emirates Stakes win, Beriman has had a handful of opportunities at the top level and her career was at the crossroads when she was out with leg injuries in the past two years.
“I had double injuries to my leg with my left knee and right ankle,” she said.
“Every time one would get better with the increased pressure going on the other one it would blow out.”
Beriman has ridden the Greg Eurell-trained Lady Horseowner to win both of her starts over 1000m in Melbourne.
She said the filly showed her adaptability by leading all the way to win her debut at Moonee Valley and then coming from off the speed at Caulfield on January 27.
“The first time I saw her and rode her I thought she was little and cute and she’s still little and cute.
“But that first time I rode I also found she had a ginormous stride for a little horse. She’s also got this character of wanting to fight to win. She’s the ultimate little professional.”
Eurell said Lady Horseowner wasn’t entered for the Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) originally because she was small and seemed immature compared to his other two-year-olds.
But connections paid the $55,000 late nomination fee for the Group 1 race after she won the Blue Diamond Preview on January.
Ladbrokes have Lady Horseowner listed as a $19 chance today.
Unbeaten colt Long Leaf is the $6.50 favourite ahead of Oohood ($7.50) in what is the most open Diamond for years.
SHE’S ALSO GOT THIS CHARACTER OF WANTING TO FIGHT TO WIN.
NIKITA BERIMAN