Caserta – who tragically passed away late last year – was a young rider with ambitions of making it to the top of the racing industry.

He did not come from a family that had a background in racing that gave him a leg up, he had to work for everything he received before his life was sadly cut short in December, 2021.

The lightweight hoop had a love for horses and travelled far and wide across Australia to gain greater opportunities and learn from different trainers and fellow jockeys.

The 25-year-old Amy Graham– who made her race riding debut on Thursday – followed an almost identical path to her late mate Caserta before landing on the Gold Coast, like he did.

The apprentice to Gold Coast trainer John Zielke drew inspiration from her close friend in the lead-up to her official raceday debut and says he will continue to be a source of motivation throughout her tenure as a jockey.

"He was my biggest supporter, he was always telling me I could do it and become a jockey," Graham said of the late Caserta.

"I did not really believe in myself a whole lot because I do not come from a racing background, my family are not racing or horse people to be honest.

"Looking around at everyone on the Gold Coast, they all seem to come from a very rich racing genes and I said that to Chris one day and he quickly told me that he also did not come from a racing background.

"He told me I could become a jockey like him and that just because we did not come from a racing background, that does not mean we could not be successful in racing.

"I looked at all the success that Chris had and it gave me a lot of motivation and belief in myself."

Like many apprentices, Graham was full of nerves before starting her official trials as she built towards her race day debut.

Caserta – regarded as a popular hoop in the jockeys room wherever he rode – was in the back of her mind on that day when she did step out for her initial trials.

"I had my first trial not long after the incident happened – maybe a few months after – and I was thinking about him at the time as he was pumping me up to do my first trials as I was quite nervous," she remembers.

"He was really excited for me to get going before he did pass away.

"He was and still is always in my mind, his attitude and advice giving me belief and confidence.

"Even now, I know that he is behind me, which is great.

"He was a really good person."

On her race day debut, Graham ventured to Gatton for one engagement on the provincial card before heading to the bush this weekend as she searches for her maiden victory at Jundah.

She partnered San Pierre in a Benchmark 55 event at Gatton on Thursday, leading for much of the journey over 1400 metres before finishing just over a length behind the winner in fourth.

Fellow apprentice hoop Madeleine Wishart walked the Gatton track with Graham before the races and provided words of guidance and advice to ease her nerves.

After a long journey to her maiden race day experience, Graham was over the moon to finally be a professional jockey.

"It was amazing, it was the best feeling ever," the apprentice hoop said.

"I had a good run close to the rails.

"I was nervous at first but it was great to finally get out there."

San Pierre is prepared on the Gold Coast by Angela Plumb, who was pleased with the way Graham rode her galloper.

"They were really proud and happy with how he went," Graham said.

"They did not expect me to go out and win or anything with it being my first ride but they were happy we got around safely.

"They were stoked with the result and so was I, going so close in my first ride, it was amazing."

Veteran Gold Coast trainer Zielke made the trip to Gatton on Thursday to support his apprentice, which Graham said provided her confidence and support.

She has been at Aquis Park with Zielke for the last couple of years before initially landing on the Sunshine Coast when she arrived in Queensland.

Graham hails from country NSW and had long considered making the move to the Gold Coast before she did.

"I was just riding my horse around Grenfell one day and one of the trainers approached me and asked if I wanted to try riding track work," Graham remembers.

"I never really considered it before that but I gave it a go.

"I did that for a while before I got injured and lost a bit of confidence and I did not do it for a while.

"But, I went back to it in Queanbeyan when I was working for Joe Cleary, they gave me another go and it just took off from there."

Graham has four bookings across the five event non-TAB program from Jundah on Saturday afternoon.