The Chris Waller-trained Ertijaaj secured victory in the race dedicated to the memory of Izzy Neale, a 22-year-old apprentice jockey who tragically passed away on Tuesday following head injuries sustained in a race fall.
Charlie Duckworth, racing manager for the renowned trainer Chris Waller, was momentarily speechless when asked to articulate his feelings post-race after Ertijaaj clinched the Izzy’s Gift Benchmark 78 Handicap over 1400 metres.
“I didn’t know Izzy so it is hard for me to comment,” Duckworth stated. “But being married to Kathy (O’Hara) and when she fell in the Oaks and I was running down the track, I can vaguely get a glimmer of the emotion that would be going through the (Neale) family. It is a tough, tough game and I don’t know how anyone can put this (tragedy) into words, really.”
The Neale family issued a statement on Tuesday, which included:
“Izzy rode horses before she could walk. Her love of horses was a lifelong passion that, more recently, had grown into a love of racing. Through organ donation, Izzy will give others the chance of life, bringing some comfort to our family amid this devastating loss. We are deeply grateful for the love, kindness and support shown to Izzy and our family by her friends, the racing community and everyone who has been by our side during this heartbreaking time.”
Star apprentice Siena Grima was visibly moved following her ride aboard Ertijaaj ($8.50), guiding the mare to a length-and-a-quarter triumph over Live ($6.50), with Beside The Ocean ($11) finishing a further length away in third.
Regal Problem, heavily supported at $2 favouritism, ultimately failed to challenge for the win.
Ertijaaj is a highly pedigreed mare, a five-year-old bred in England under northern hemisphere time, sired by the acclaimed Night Thunder and out of the 2018 Golden Slipper winner, Estijaab.
“She is a really talented horse but can be her own worst enemy,” Duckworth commented. “She is in a hurry to go nowhere and has let herself down her last two runs by going too keen. From the inside draw we told Siena to leave her alone entirely for the first 200m or so, find cover and let her get into her rhythm. Because we know she has a very good turn of foot if we get the first half of the race right. She was impressive today and is making nice progression.”
“I will have him out tomorrow morning on the water walker and will pick him up on Wednesday. If he’s in good order we will look at The Gong.”
Consider trying your luck with the racing odds available at Australian betting sites.