THE rise and rise of Siena Grima continues at Moree today, with the Tamworth apprentice taking five rides at the eight-race Tradies Day TAB meeting.
Grima, fresh from five winners on Coonabarabran Cup day, has ridden 109 winners since her first day on the job at Deepwater last year, where she rode her first winner – Jakat for Inverell trainer Ridge Wilson.
After today’s meeting, Grima – apprenticed to Mel O’Gorman – heads to Randwick for three rides on Saturday, including Belle Detelle for Chris Waller and Maximum Vortex for Ethan Ensby.
She backs up at Muswellbrook on Sunday with another three rides, and heads back to Randwick on Melbourne Cup day for five rides, including Brett Robb’s Kosciuszko runner-up Gallant Star in the $250,000 Barn Dance.
Such is her success, Grima no longer claims in country tracks but can claim 3kg in the city.
At Moree today, Grima rides Ole Lady and Crimson Bonnet for Sue Grills, Prince of Prophets and Laisvas for Connie Greig, and Sally Torrens’ Bravalatante.
Prince of Prophets, drawn in the middle of the pack in the 1600m Moree Mile Class 2 Handicap, is a Narromine maiden winner three starts back on a heavy track.
Stablemate Laisvas, third in the rich Picnic Championship Final at Dubbo earlier this month, has drawn barrier two in the 1400m Patrons’ BM-58 Handicap.
“Prince Of Prophets is racing well and hasn’t drawn too bad. Hopefully, he can be in a nice spot and finish well late,” Grima said.
“Laisvas drops back in trip, and was placed at Dubbo a few starts ago. She’ll be hitting the line well late.”
Tamworth trainer Sue Grills has booked Grima for Ole Lady in the 1400m Members’ Maiden Plate and Crimson Bonnet in the 1200m Tradies’ BM-66 Handicap.
Grills and Grima teamed up at Coonabarabran last Sunday to win the Baradine Cup with Night Fighter.
“Ole Lady is down in grade and the extra distance will suit her,” Grima said.
Crimson Bonnet was unplaced last start in strong company at Scone after impressively winning at Tamworth four weeks ago.
“This is Crimson Bonnet’s first time racing in this grade, but she was strong when winning two starts ago,” Grima said.
“She has a good weight (56.5kg) and hopefully can be handy from the gate (6).”
Three-year-old Bravalatante, formerly trained at Scone by Brett and Georgie Cavanough, is now owned-and-trained by Sally Torrens at Gunnedah.
The filly has drawn gate eight in the 1200m Caretaker’s Maiden Handicap.
Bravalatante had her first start for Torrens when fourth behind emerging sprinter Race to Arms on Coonamble Cup day three weeks ago.
“Bravalatante is improving each start. She has speed and is suited by the trip,” Grima said.
Grima has taken all before her in recent weeks, with five winners at Coonabarabran six days ago a crowning achievement in a career punctuated with benchmarks.
Most jockeys wait a lifetime to bag five winners at a meeting. Most never do. Grima, with 17 winners so far this season, reached the milestone after less than two years in the saddle.
Incredibly, her quintet included all three feature races – the Coonabarabran and Baradine Cups on Jeremy Gask’s Who Ever Thought and Sue Grills’ Night Fighter, and the Coonabarabran Showcase Sprint on Enterprising Legend for Holly Williams.
“It’s been a great few days,” Grima smiled.
