Apprentice Jaylah Kennedy lands first city win

It may have only been a benchmark 70 grade race at Moonee Valley, but apprentice Jaylah Kennedy will always remember her victory aboard Ceerseven.

The victory in the Ascend Sales Trophies Challenger Handicap (1600m) was the Ballarat-based apprentices first in the metropolitan.

While Kennedy has ridden at midweek meetings at Sandown, without a breakthrough win, her victory on Ceerseven was her first at a Saturday metropolitan meeting.

Trained by Mitch Freedman, Ceerseven ($3.40) got up in the final few bounds to claim the $3.30 betting site favourite Brooklyn Boss by a short-half-head with Confrontational ($15) a further 2-½ lengths away third.

The victory was Kennedy’s 48th career win from just over 450 rides.

“It’s unbelievable,” Kennedy said.

“A massive thanks to Mitch and the connections of this horse and the whole team in this horse.

“They didn’t have to keep me on today. He only had the 58-½ kilos before the claim, but they stuck to their guns and stuck with me and thankfully I was able to repay them.”

Kennedy said the race did not quite pan out the way she had hoped and was forced to ride Ceerseven further back than anticipated.

“From the barriers, where I wanted to sit three pairs back, one off the fence, was going to be a bit out of my range, so I had to bite the bullet and ride pretty patient,” Kennedy said.

“But he wanted to tow me into the race a little bit before I wanted him to, but it was about keeping him balanced and he was really strong to the line.”

Wayne Hucker, representing the ownership group, praised Kennedy’s ride which also gave Ceerseven his maiden city win.

“It was a great ride by Jaylah,” Hucker said.

“It was her first ride in town on a Saturday and I would say not her last winner.”