Stock horse background giving Ruby an Edge

Life as a jockey truly has apprentice jockey Ruby Haylock in its grasp.

The 22-year-old will have three rides at Moruya on Tuesday including No Emotion which provided her with a memorable first career victory at the same track on August 15.

No Emotion got the result in the final bound to win for Haylock at her seventh career ride and she is hopeful of a repeat when the six-year-old contests the Ezycharge Dash Benchmark 66 (1010m).

Haylock will also ride the aptly named Never Lose Faith and Miss Anarchy, while she has been entrusted with the barrier trial duties on impressive last start winner, Princess De Roca.

With a background in stock horses from her mother's side of the family, Haylock started out in racing after breaking-in some horses.

She commenced an apprenticeship with Moruya trainer Wade Mathie and helps other local trainers like No Emotion's conditioner Natalie Jarvis.

Her first career win will forever be etched in her memory and she plans to make the most of every opportunity that presents itself.

"It would be good if it plays out like last time," she said. "I wasn't sure if the horse won last time.

"He played up a bit at the barriers before the race with his usual party tricks so I'm expecting him to do the same on Tuesday.

"It's a tougher race, but I watched him work the other day and he looks really well and had a spring in his step."

No Emotion will start in a field of eight where the result will come down to the right tactics such is the evenness of the field.

The ever-consistent Sestina, along with last start winner Gorush Lightning are also strong chances along with stablemates My Blue Jeans and Rent A Rock.

Recent winner Designer Maid has an abundance of early speed to lead as does Haralben from a wide barrier draw and Kentucky Award.

Haylock is still learning her craft and is gaining her experience with every race ride after only commencing her career in July.

"I'm a bit like a sponge at the moment taking in all the advice I can get," she said. "I will try and ride No Emotion the same way I did last time and put him where he is comfortable and let him finish off."

Haylock never had plans of being a jockey, but is glad her riding took her that way where she linked up with the Mathie stable. The majority of her race rides have been for Moruya-based trainers, while she is also helpful for the advice from Princess De Roca's trainer Joe Cleary.

"I'm really looking forward to riding her in a trial and I think she is being set for the Highway race in Sydney," she said. "I have ridden Never Lose Faith before for Lynda Bundy who is one of the many trainers from this area that have given me race rides."

Haylock said she likes a number of aspects about the racing industry, but added the "adrenalin rush" of a race start was her favourite part: "I had about five trial winners from my 20 rides, but then to get that first winner at my seventh race ride was a real thrill," she added.

Never Lose Faith probably best sums up Haylock's attitude who started race riding at a later age than most apprentices. She has dreams to establish herself as a competent apprentice jockey and by riding winners put her name up where she wants to be.

Haylock hopes her four-kilogram claim is an asset and it certainly made a difference to No Emotion which won by a nose.

Jarvis has a large team of horses in training at Moruya and Haylock's claim will be beneficial for many of her higher weighted horses. She has six horses racing on Moruya, while a lot of interest will also centre on her The Kosciuszkso hopeful, Kattegat, which will contest the barrier trial.

Meanwhile, the previous Moruya meeting was dominated by local trainers and that could again be the case on Tuesday. Not only was Jarvis successful, but also Lauren Davies, Lynda Bundy and Michael Gatty.

Gatty prepares Gorush Lightning which has finished in the top three at seven of his 13 starts at the course. There will be seven races on Tuesday with the course rated a Soft 7.


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