News

Lady Jivago gives Buckley rare city win

12th Feb 2015

The Age - by AAP - Saturday, 7 February 2015

Hard-working jockey Grant Buckley gets few opportunities in the city and has made the most of his ride on Lady Jivago in the Inglis Classic at Rosehill.

Trained by Jeff Englebrecht at Wyong, the $14,000 yearling ran out a clear winner of Saturday's $250,000 sales-restricted race.

Buckley spends much of his time travelling the NSW countryside to ply his craft and has had a long association with Englebrecht.

"I don't get many opportunities to come to town so when one came to ride this filly, I didn't want to let it go," Buckley said.

"I have ridden a lot for Jeff over the years and he told me about her after she trialled.

"I rode her at Wyong where she won after getting buffeted around.

"She was better today and although she is still very new, she was more professional and did the job."

Buckley positioned Lady Jivago ($7) just off the speed with Serenade Moon ($3.60) assuming the lead.

When Buckley gave the filly a tap with the whip in the straight, she responded and extended to beat Ideal Express ($6.50) by 1-1/4 lengths.

Serenade held on for third with favourite Odyssey Moon ($2.60) fourth.

Englebrecht said he would be at the Inglis Classic Sale on Sunday looking for another youngster, after he had celebrated.

"The next thing I'm doing is having a beer and then we will be back at the sales tomorrow," he said.

"I'm thrilled. She had never been hit with the whip, I didn't know if she would get 1200 metres, there were a lot of ifs.

"There is a lot of upside to her and I'm not sure where we will go now.

"She's paid up for the Golden Slipper but I will discuss that with the owners."