Moki making most of chances
Apprentice jockey Zinjete Moki will sleep well on Sunday night.
Moki, 27, is about to undertake the busiest weekend’s riding since she took out her licence in the 2013/2014 season.
The Pukekohe rider is spending time in the central districts on loan to leading Whanganui trainer Kevin Myers from her employer, Pukekohe trainer Richard Collett.
‘‘Richard was really happy for me to come down to Kevin,’’ Moki said.
‘‘Richard’s horse numbers fall away during the winter months and he knew I’d get more opportunities down here.’’
Neither Collett or Moki could have envisaged the opportunity afforded the affable young lady this weekend. Myers has Moki riding his entire Trentham team, several of the six runners huge chances in their respective races.
Saturday’s six-ride book has a flow-on affect for Moki who has picked up four rides at Hawera on Sunday, none are trained by Myers.
‘‘Other trainers have seen that Kevin is putting me on his horses, therefore they are willing to give me rides on their horses,’’ a happy Moki said.
At Trentham the shrewd Myers has made the decision to make the most of Moki’s 3kg claim on the heavy surface.
The value of his thinking is obvious – in the first race debutant Kowhai Kerry will carry 52kg while the favourites, ridden by senior jockeys, will lump 57kg, 58kg and 59kg respectively. Wary TAB bookies have the first starter, with no exposed form, reasonably tight in the market at $12.
Moki’s mounts have been well spotted by bookies throughout the day with Willy Duggan ($12) equal with Kowhai Kerry as the longest in the markets.
Her other rides Overtheditch ($7), Duffers Creek ($5), Epineaux ($5.50) and Caramac ($6) all well favoured.
Initially Myers told Moki she was aboard three of his Trentham team.
‘‘And then I was told I was on all six – it’s very cool and hopefully a day to remember,’’ Moki said.
‘‘They all seem to handle heavy tracks pretty well and Kevin always has his horses in great condition.’’ Three of her rides are in the day’s major events, Caramac in the Autumn Championships Sprint Final ($50,000), Duffers Creek the North Island Challenge Stakes ($40,000) and Willy Duggan the Trentham Gold Cup ($40,000).
It’s not all peaches and cream working around the busy Myers stable but there are obvious benefits.
‘‘We work really hard and put in the hours but it sure helps keep the weight in check,’’ Moki said. ‘‘I’m riding more horses, up to 12 each morning which is really good.’’
Moki also appreciates the feedback from the experienced and astute Myers who rings the young rider and assesses her efforts after most races in his wry, jovial but firm manner. Moki has won 25 races and it will surprise if that tally doesn’t increase by Monday.