Alisha McDonell makes dream start to riding career

By Isaac Ling 4 hours ago
Just three weeks ago rookie Queensland jockey Alisha McDonell booted home a winner in her very first ride and that’s pretty much all she’s been doing ever since.

Based in Barcaldine in central-west Queensland and apprenticed to Todd Austin, the 18-year-old has flown out of the gates, having ridden 13 winners from just 19 opportunities.

Speaking to Punters.com.au after a weekend that included four winners at Longreach on Saturday and a treble at Charters Towers on Sunday, the airborne apprentice said the success has come much quicker than she anticipated.

“I honestly didn’t expect it to take off this fast. I always knew Todd’s horses were really good horses, he did well before I started riding and he’ll do well without me too. [But] I never expected it,” McDonell said.

McDonell, who grew up in Barcaldine, started riding quarter horses as a child and linked with Austin around 12 months ago.

“My Stepdad is into horses pretty heavily. He’s got a couple of quarter horses and when I was three I started riding them. And then I got into sprint horses with my Mum’s best friend,” McDonell said.

“And then I just wanted to go from there and Todd was looking for an apprentice at the time.”






Alisha McDonell's career stats to date. Source: Racing Queensland.

McDonell’s mentor Austin is well known in Queensland racing circles and in 2011 he achieved a Group One placing with Playtime in Brisbane’s TJ Smith Stakes (now known as the JJ Atkins).

McDonell lists the leading country trainer as someone she looks up to and credits his guidance as a big reason for her dream beginning.

“My boss, Todd Austin. He’s been a great mentor and I honestly wouldn’t be the rider I am today without him,” she said.

“He’s pretty much taught me how to ride a racehorse from day one. I wouldn’t have known anything about riding a horse or being a jockey until I came to him 12 months ago.”

Despite pinching winners off her senior counterparts at the four meetings she has ridden at, the new kid on the block said she has been welcomed into the jockey ranks by her fellow riders.

“They’re all pretty helpful. Marty [Martin] Haley’s helped me out a lot. Pietro Romeo’s helped me out a lot, especially with the travelling. We travelled all the way to Charters Towers from Longreach (640km) on the weekend and we split up the drive together,” McDonell said.

“They’re all helping me improve, they’re pretty good.”





Alisha McDonell in action. Source: Twitter - Racing Queensland.

The in-form apprentice was reluctant to get too far ahead of herself but said she will probably explore opportunities away from the bush when racing takes a break in her home region over the summer.

“I’m kind of just taking it as it comes. A lot of people have asked me what my goal is and I honestly don’t really have one,” she said.

“We have December, January and half of February off because it gets really hot out here. So I guess I’d be looking to go to town over those breaks out here.”

McDonell will next be in action on Saturday when she makes the 409km trip from Barcaldine to Charleville for a five-race card.

www.punters.com.au/news/country-qld-jock...of-the-gates_168856/

Thats amazing wow !

Well done and keep it up