Siena Grima's Everest Day Debut

Siena Grima, a celebrated apprentice jockey, is on the cusp of fulfilling a major career ambition as she prepares to ride at the highly anticipated The Everest day meeting for the very first time.

The past twelve months have been extraordinary for Grima. Her transition to leading trainer Chris Waller's stable late last year, a long-held ambition, has been instrumental. She has capitalised on every chance, clinching the Sydney apprentices' championship and tasting Group 1 success in the Epsom Handicap aboard God's Window in her inaugural Group 1 contest.

Her association with God's Window continues, with the horse's connections extending a significant vote of confidence by retaining the junior jockey for Saturday's prestigious $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) at Randwick. Grima finds it hard to believe her current standing.

"I thought maybe one day in my career I might get a chance to ride in a Group One, let alone have won one already," Grima confided. "So to go again in another one and on a brilliant horse like him against Autumn Glow and Pride of Jenni and Militarise, it's very exciting. Twelve months ago I was still in the bush."

On The Everest day last year, Grima was competing at the Newcastle provincial meeting and followed the Sydney races from the jockeys' room there. She was still under the guidance of her initial trainer, Mel O'Gorman from Tamworth, who she credits for her foundational training before Waller and his assistant trainer, former champion jockey Darren Beadman, took notice.

She intends to seek advice from Beadman regarding strategy for Saturday's race. With the presence of the swift mare Pride Of Jenni, the race is anticipated to be run at a demanding pace, and the limited number of runners will necessitate sharp tactical thinking.

"Darren's expertise is on another level, so I'd love to be able to sit down with them. I'd say I will beforehand, and then again just before we go out, have another little conversation, see what Chris wants to do as well and judge the best path forward," Grima elaborated. "But if I can hold a comfortable spot closer than where he normally races and travel well, I know him well enough to know when to get on my bike. I was glad to see a nice barrier draw for him. He can jump well so he can put himself in a nice spot. Obviously, Pride Of Jenni is in it, so that will make it a real spectacle, a real test of stamina, but I'm really looking forward to it."

God's Window commenced his racing career in England, and Grima was the inaugural Australian jockey to partner him upon his local debut 13 months ago. She has ridden the gelding in half of his 12 starts for Waller. While her familiarity with the horse has undoubtedly played a role in her retaining the mount, Grima acknowledges the considerable achievement for an apprentice to be selected for a compact six-horse field in a $5 million, weight-for-age event.

"The fact I know him so well did play a part in me picking up the ride," she acknowledged. "But to be put back on him in such a big race is confidence filling. He's come back a really nice horse this 'prep'. His first-up run was enormous and then he backed that up into the Epsom and put in such a big run. I was worried that might have taken it out of him, but I've seen him over the last few days at trackwork and he's feeling enormous, so I'm really excited to see how he will go."

God's Window is one of three mounts for Grima at Randwick, with Miss Black Betty in the Group 3 Reginald Allen Quality (1400m) and Estremo in the final race rounding out her engagements.

Punters can explore the betting markets for the King Charles III Stakes at various online bookmakers.