Gun Interstate Jockey Scores First WA Win
24 June, 2017
Thoroughbred
Former Toowoomba jockey, Skye Bogenhuber, kicked off her WA riding career in style when she combined with veteran galloper, Zuboyne, at Kalgoorlie on Sunday.
A positive Bogenhubder had the 12-year-old camped outside of the leader and poured the pressure on at the 600m before dashing clear in the home straight.
The Neil Dellar-trained gelding posted his ninth win at his 123rd start by 1 3/4 lengths, defeating Tahgeo Jay with Coco Cash sticking on for third.
Bogenhuber commenced riding in New South Wales, but it has been Queensland and more specifically, Toowoomba, where she has left an indelible mark.
She created history by becoming the first female jockey to win the Toowoomba premiership in 2012-13, the first of five titles, a record not completed before.
She is also the first female rider to claim two of Toowoomba’s biggest and most prestigious races, the Weetwood Handicap and the Toowoomba Cup in 2013.
Bogenhuber, now aged 32, moved to Perth last month to reunite with her partner, Chris Nation, Perth Racing’s newly appointed Ascot and Belmont track manager.
Bogenhuber admits uprooting from a successful base in Queensland had been difficult, but said the challenge of riding interstate had come at a good time.
“It might end up being a good change and could improve my riding overall,” Bogenhuber said.
“I might have become a little stale in Toowoomba and this is a challenge I can take up.
“The weather is a lot warmer than Toowoomba and the people are friendly and accommodating.
“I understand I will have to start from scratch, but I’m prepared to put the hard work in.
“After a couple of weeks off I’m keen to get stuck into it and rapt with my opportunities.”
Julio Santarelli