Delighted: Mia-Rose Cornish after racing her pony at Randwick. Photo: Aidan Briggs
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Aidan Briggs
It may have been a grey and rainy day in Sydney, but not even the weather could wipe the smile off the face of Mia-Rose Cornish.
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The 10-year-old Echuca resident lined up at Royal Randwick Racecourse on Saturday, April 20, aboard her 20-year-old pony Spots, with the pair tearing down the front straight during the Small Pony Final at the National Pony Racing Series.
A few hiccups saw the duo off to a shaky start, but Mia-Rose, wearing blue and red silks, was able to recover well and put in a sterling ride, urging Spots through a gap to cross the line in third despite the soggy track.
“(The race) went really well, she didn’t get the best start, got squashed and a lot of things went wrong in the race, but she made a comeback,” she said.
“Spots travelled really nicely even on a wet track; it was a great feeling going down the Randwick straight.
“I was very happy with the result, I almost cried.”
Mia-Rose’s mum, Donna Gaskin, herself a local horse trainer, praised the event for giving kids the chance to get some real racing experience at a young age and inspiring a new generation of jockeys.
“The race was great, and the kids had a ball, it’s a good experience for them at a young age to race on these great tracks,” she said.
“Mia wants to be a jockey, so it’s great for her to get that experience, she’s ridden now at Mooney Valley twice for a first and a fourth, she loves it and she’s doing great.”
Superb ride: Ten-year-old Mia-Rose Cornish aboard her pony, Spots, during the National Pony Racing Series final at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney. Photo: Supplied
It was her last trip to The Valley that saw Mia-Rose qualify for the final in Randwick, with the Rochester Pony Club member claiming her maiden win aboard Spots on Cox Plate eve in the second race of the National Pony Racing series.
The aspiring jockey accepted the winner’s trophy on that occasion from legendary hoop and three-time Melbourne Cup winner Glen Boss, and got to mix with more racing royalty at the weekend, with Godolphin trainer James Cummings spending some time with the finalists.
“(Mia-Rose) also got to meet James Cummings and he was talking to all the kids; he was very lovely and great with them,” Ms Gaskin said.
Eager to get more racing under the belt, Mia-Rose is already eyeing her next event, with the aim to once again qualify for the final when the new racing series starts up.
“If there’s another Victorian qualifier I’ll try and get in there but if we don’t qualify, I’ll ask mum if we can go to New South Wales or South Australia,” she said.
Despite Spots nearing her 21st birthday, she is still going strong, with the longevity coming down to the special bond she shares with Mia-Rose.
“Spots is 20 years old and she’s still racing well so that’s a bit surprising, she only raced on Saturday and she’s ready to go again,” Ms Gaskin said.
“Mia has had her for nearly three years, she just loves her I don’t think she could part with her.”
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