Victorian apprentice Makisha Salter this Saturday returns to Fannie Bay, where she made an impact on her Northern Territory racing debut a fortnight ago.
The 23-year-old booted The Albion home in a narrow win for trainer Peter Stennett, and with a full book of rides this weekend on Darwin’s six-event program, she might well have another good day.
Along with The Albion, Chris Nash’s Ideas Man and Stennett’s Bluffed are also last-start winners.
With a few local jockeys taking holidays, it was no coincidence that Salter headed north, as she has a connection with Top End trainer Patrick Johnston.
Johnston is the brother of Mornington-based trainer Amy Yargi – who, along with husband Ash, had runners feature during the 2022 Darwin Cup Carnival.
Salter rides for the Yargi stable, and the apprentice – who hails from Adelaide and lives in Mornington – welcomed the chance to ride in Darwin, where she had two rides for Johnston, as well as rides for Stennett, Gary Clarke and Chris Pollard.
She is also booked to ride the Johnston pair of Ankle Rolex and Reckless Bay as well as Pollard’s Eight Rubies on Saturday.
“They were a little low on riders in Darwin, so I thought it was a good opportunity to learn and improve on my skills,” Salter said.
“I had met Pat a few times – he comes across as very scary, but he’s a nice bloke.
“Everyone in Darwin helped and the jockeys gave me an insight in regards to the track.
“They were there to help if I needed to ask any questions or make a query about any horse.
“They were welcoming and were happy for me to get the win.
“I said to the girls prior to the last race that if I didn’t win on The Albion that I’d have to come back and redeem myself.
“They just laughed at me and thought I was joking.
“I just beat Sonja (Logan) and when I got back she said, ‘oh well, if it wasn’t you, I would be angry’.
“She said I did a good job, which was lovely.”
Darwin R5 replay – The Albion – T: Peter Stennett
Ideas Man, second in the $135,000 Palmerston Sprint (1200m) last month during the Darwin Cup Carnival, lines up in the BM76 feature race over 1200m this weekend in his quest to make it three straight wins.
The six-year-old gelding, who has managed four wins, two seconds and a third in his past seven starts, has been up since late May but will benefit from Salter’s 3kg claim as he strives to thwart the challenge that Rising Sphere, City Regal, Mister Monaro, Influential Jack, El Magnificence and Autocratic impose.
Salter admitted that riding on the Fannie Bay dirt for the first time was daunting.
“I rode a bit of trackwork for Pat on the Saturday before the races two weeks ago just to get a feel for it – know where the markers are and how tight it is,” she said.
“I was fortunate to have that opportunity before stepping foot on the track come raceday.
“My first race was scary – the racing and track is just so different compared to Victoria.
“It’s a lot quicker, but it was good – the horses were lovely and it was very hot.
“I had a pretty good day and I’m keen to go back.
“I’ve got a very nice book of rides on Saturday and I’m excited, that’s for sure.
“Ideas Man is a last-start winner and goes in with a bit of weight on his back, but obviously my claim takes it back down, which is great.”
Salter had her first start on Zoomurudi, who raced for the Yargi yard in Darwin in July last year, at Mornington last December before winning her first race at King Island in January.
It was pure emotion when she notched her first win for the Yargi team aboard Yulara at Kilmore on March 10, which marked exactly five years since the passing of Salter’s mum.
“That was definitely my best win – that was pretty exciting and very special,” she said.
“I managed to make Ash and Amy cry – I don’t think there was a dry eye in sight that day.”
Salter, the winner of five races, would like to stay in Victoria and cannot thank the Yargis enough for their support.
“I’m lucky to have a lot of support from Amy and Ash, as well as Amy and Pat’s parents, Brian Johnston and Fran Houlahan – they’ve been behind me for the whole time I’ve been with them,” she said.
“Unfortunately, I’ve had my injuries and I’ve spent time on the sideline.
“They’ve been there through the ups and downs – they just continue to support me, so I couldn’t imagine leaving them.
“They’re like family, they’ve all helped me a lot along the way.”
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