Young apprentice keen to keep momentum rolling

A memorable week could be about to get even better for apprentice Siena Grima when she heads to Rosehill to chase her second metropolitan win in the space of three days.

Indentured to Melanie O’Gorman at Tamworth, Grima celebrated her maiden city success aboard the Chris Waller-trained Tazima at Randwick’s Kensington track meeting on Wednesday and returns to town for two rides this weekend.

She will again link with Sydney’s premier trainer to partner last start winner Travolta in the Rosehill Bowling Club Handicap (1900m) and Fetes Des Meres for Garry Lunn in the Highway Handicap (1300m).

Born in Kempsey on the NSW mid-North Coast, Grima’s background was in show jumping before she relocated to Tamworth to become an apprentice jockey.

She has ridden 95 career winners, her first city success coming at her 13th appearance in town and made even sweeter by a ‘pinch me’ moment with champion jockey James McDonald behind the starting stalls.

“When I pulled up to turn around and come back to the barriers, ‘J Mac’ was next to me and talking to me and I was like, ‘Oh my God, I’m used to just seeing him win on tv and now he’s talking to me’. It was amazing,” Grima said.

As has been the influence of Hall of Fame jockey Darren Beadman, formerly an assistant trainer with Godolphin and now with the Waller yard.

It was Beadman who initiated contact to ask whether Grima might be interested in some opportunities in Sydney.

“He reached out to my boss, Mel (O’Gorman). He had a chat and said I’d like to have some conversations with her and there are some opportunities with Chris,” Grima said.

“He walked the track with me (on Wednesday), which was great. Beautiful insight, especially from someone as accomplished as him.”

For his part, Beadman said he’d been monitoring Grima from afar for some time and after making some inquiries, he didn’t hesitate to recommend the three-kilo claimer to Waller.

“Yes, I’ve been watching her and she is very impressive,” Beadman said.

“I’ve heard good reports from people in high places so that gives you confidence to put them on.”

Grima partnered Fetes Des Meres to her recent win at Bathurst and said she looked an exciting prospect, while Travolta was in-form and proven on rain-affected ground.

“She is a really talented mare and I reckon Garry is only just seeing the beginning of her,” Grima said of Her Highway ride.

“I’m definitely excited for that horse and to ride for Chris again.”

Grima is hoping her visits to Sydney can become more regular and is keen to link with a city stable to continue her apprenticeship down the track.

“I’m just going to keep coming back and see if I can get an apprenticeship around here somewhere and go from there,” she said.