Jockey Kate Walters wiped away tears following her steer of Any Luck to the most significant win in her riding history.
The Listed Warrnambool Cup (2350m) held on Thursday marked her initial ‘Black Type’ achievement since starting her career back in 2000.
Daughter to trainer Wayne Walters, the duo celebrated the Warrnambool Cup success together, though Kate directed her gaze upwards while returning to scale, her mind on a different jockey.
After the race, Walters revealed her reflections centered on Dean Holland, who tragically died in a racing incident at Donald just over three years prior.
“Dean was one of my best friends,” Walter told racing.com.
“I knew him before he had all of the tatts and I’m the one who would get him drunk.
“I miss him all-the-time, especially at this Carnival and I’d do anything to have him back.”
Rated at $41, Any Luck backed up from a fourth-place finish in a 2350m benchmark 70 event on Tuesday, holding off the $4 favourite Alder by a mere half-head, while Tempesti ($8.50) trailed by an additional 1-¾ lengths for third.
Kate Walters has partnered Any Luck throughout all 47 of the mare’s outings, accumulating eight victories and over $440,000 in earnings.
“I know her inside and out and I’ve ridden her since she was two,” Walter said.
“I thought her run on Tuesday was huge and she dropped 5-½ kilos today.
“She’s tough as Alder got in front of her and she kicked back.
“I said to Dad that as we had drawn the outside gate, we should go back, but he said don’t go too far back.
“So, it worked out in his favour.”
Walters mainly competes on country tracks but has come near Black Type wins before, such as aboard Any Luck’s sire Puccini in an Adelaide Group 3 contest.
According to trainer Walters, Any Luck’s dam, Luckzat, placed fourth in the Warrnambool Cup during 2013.
Walters noted Any Luck was short on condition when finishing fourth at Terang two runs ago, and the reduced weight from Tuesday proved crucial.
“She knocked up here the other day after pulling it’s brains out and I thought she would be right for Thursday,” Walters said.
“Plus, she carried 59-½ (kilos) on Tuesday and dropped to 54 today.”
Explore the top Australian betting sites for Warrnambool Cup markets and specials.