Great win during bad times

A win at Moonee Valley last Saturday was a ray of sunshine for former Kiwi jockey Matthew Enright and his partner, Tegan Hearps.

You’ve Been Had, trained and partowned by Enright’s sister, Lisa, scored a decisive win over 1000m and news of the plight of the couple’s nine-yearold son, Ryder, was made public with thoughts and best wishes immediately going out to the plucky youngster and his family.

Midway through last week Ryder was diagnosed with leukaemia and is in Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital undergoing a course of chemotherapy.

“It all happened so quickly,” Lisa Enright said. “He showed symptoms of having a cold then further blood tests revealed he has leukaemia.

“He was sent straight to the Royal Children’s Hospital and had his first lot of chemo last Friday.

“It’s come as a shock to us all. He’s a little go-getter, always out and about.

“He’s got a big army behind him and we’re all there and we’ll all help get him through.”

Matthew Enright made his mark as a successful jockey in New Zealand, riding for 16 seasons from 1984-85 with 13 group or listed wins among his 437 victories.

He won the 1991 New Zealand Cup (3200m) on Carlton King and another of his highlights was the 1991 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) on Konig, trained at Foxton by his father, Dave.

Enright later trained for a few seasons from Foxton before shifting to Australia where he continued to race ride then train.— NZ Racing Desk