English jockey Harry Davies gets first Australian winner

Harry Davies has broken through for the first winner of his Australian summer riding stint, with the young English jockey steering two-year-old filly Kujenga to an all-the-way win on debut at Wyong.

Davies began his Sydney stint last month and had notched five placings, including four seconds, in his first 29 rides and was delighted to get off the mark with a win in the opening race on Saturday on the Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald-trained filly in the Heritage Real Estate 2YO Handicap (1200m).

“It’s taken a bit of time but it’s here now and I’m glad to have done it,” Davies said.

“We’ve been hitting the crossbar and when it’s like that it’s only a matter of time.

“You just have to trust what you’re doing.

“Annabel and Rob have kept their faith which I’m so thankful for, because there’s been times where I’d say they haven’t had a winner and I’ve had quite a good book of rides. A lot of the trainers do blame the jockey but they’ve kept their faith and they’ve been very good to me.

“They obviously want me to learn too, which is what it’s all about.”

Stepping out for her first race, having had two Sydney barrier trials under her belt last month, Kujenga ($11) began quickly to cross and find the lead and the daughter of King’s Legacy was never headed, going on to defeat the fast-finishing Damien ($4.40) by a long head with Namaste ($3) another two lengths away third.

Davies, who has ridden 180 winners during his career, said what he liked about Kujenga’s performance was that she showed good gate speed which played to her advantage around the Wyong circuit, as the jockey had been keen to press forward on the filly.

“I couldn’t afford to give away ground and as soon as I got the rail I thought she was going to be tough to beat,” the jockey said.

“She’s still learning. She was always waiting for a bit of company and I was quite impressed with her, actually.”