Champion apprentice Siena Grima is poised to achieve a significant career milestone by competing at the prestigious The Everest day meeting for the first time in her career.
Her journey over the past year has been remarkable, especially after transferring her apprenticeship to the renowned trainer Chris Waller late last year. Grima has made the most of every opportunity presented, securing the Sydney apprentices’ title and achieving a Group 1 victory in the Epsom Handicap aboard God’s Window on her maiden Group 1 ride.
The connections of God’s Window have demonstrated considerable faith in the young jockey, confirming her as the rider for Saturday’s lucrative $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) at Randwick. Grima continues to be in disbelief about this opportunity.
“I thought maybe one day in my career I might get a chance to ride in a Group One, let alone have won one already,” Grima stated. “So to go again in another one and on a brilliant horse like him against Autumn Glow and Pride of Jenni and Militarise, it’s very exciting. Twelve months ago I was still in the bush.”
Last year, Grima participated in a NSW provincial meeting at Newcastle on Everest day, observing the Sydney races from the jockeys’ room at that venue. At that time, she was still apprenticed to her initial mentor, Tamworth trainer Mel O’Gorman, whom she acknowledged for her foundational training before Waller and his assistant, former jockey Darren Beadman, took notice.
She plans to consult Beadman for insights into navigating Saturday’s race. Given the presence of the fast mare Pride Of Jenni, the race is expected to be run at a fierce pace, and the small field will undoubtedly demand astute tactical decisions.
“Darren’s expertise is on another level, so I’d love to be able to sit down with them. I’d say I will beforehand, and then again just before we go out, have another little conversation, see what Chris wants to do as well and judge the best path forward,” Grima explained. “But if I can hold a comfortable spot closer than where he normally races and travel well, I know him well enough to know when to get on my bike. I was glad to see a nice barrier draw for him. He can jump well so he can put himself in a nice spot. Obviously, Pride Of Jenni is in it, so that will make it a real spectacle, a real test of stamina, but I’m really looking forward to it.”
God’s Window began his racing career in England, and Grima was the first Australian jockey to ride him when he debuted in Australia 13 months ago. She has partnered the gelding in half of his 12 starts for Waller. While her familiarity with the horse has likely contributed to her retaining the ride, Grima recognises the significance for an apprentice to be part of a select six-horse field in a $5 million, weight-for-age event.
“The fact I know him so well did play a part in me picking up the ride,” she admitted. “But to be put back on him in such a big race is confidence filling. He’s come back a really nice horse this ‘prep’. His first-up run was enormous and then he backed that up into the Epsom and put in such a big run. I was worried that might have taken it out of him, but I’ve seen him over the last few days at trackwork and he’s feeling enormous, so I’m really excited to see how he will go.”
God’s Window is one of three mounts for Grima at Randwick, alongside Miss Black Betty in the Group 3 Reginald Allen Quality (1400m) and Estremo in the final race.
For those looking to get involved, the racing odds for the King Charles III Stakes are already heating up at leading Australian betting sites.