Leading Queensland rider Angela Jones will make her New Zealand debut at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day where she will partner the Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-prepared mare Smart Love in the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m).
The 24-year-old hoop created history at the conclusion of the 2024-25 racing season when becoming the first female rider to lift the Queensland metropolitan jockeys' premiership, and she is currently one of the most sought after riders in Australia.
Her connection to the O’Sullivan and Scott team began in April 2024 when her fiancée, Kyle Wilson-Taylor, partnered Waitak in the A$5m Quokka for the stable, with Jones in attendance at the Western Australia Carnival.
“We first met Angela when she came to Perth with Kyle, who rode Waitak in the Quokka for us,” Scott said.
“We spent plenty of time with her and she really impressed us. We have followed her riding since then, especially during the big Brisbane carnivals, and she really is a very accomplished jockey.
“She has continued to grow in confidence and is just getting better and better. She won the Queensland Premiership last season, which is a very big achievement, and a reward for how well she is riding.”
Scott is confident that Jones will suit Smart Love, who has looked an exceptional talent as she has made her way through the grades this season, and is keen to see her tackle the big guns in the prestigious Ellerslie feature.
“Angela jumped at the chance to come over for the day and we think she will really suit our mare,” he said.
“I also think she will definitely want to put a Group Two New Zealand win on her record as Kyle won the Wellington Guineas (Gr.2, 1400m) on Grail Seeker for the stable and she won’t want him having that on his own.
“We have got her on two of our other runners on the day to help get a feel for the track, and being the professional she is I’m sure she will have done plenty of homework on those rides and the Ellerslie surface, which can trip a few up the first time they go there.
“Smart Love worked with Checkmate, who is a race rival, on Saturday morning and we couldn’t be happier with how they both went.
“We think they are both going to be very strong, lightweight chances so it is nice to go into a big raceday with genuine contenders in races like that.”
Scott also reported that stable star Waitak had pulled up well from his exertions in the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2000m) on Boxing Day where the rub of the green didn’t go his way when finishing towards the rear of the field
“He (Waitak) pulled up good as gold after not having a lot of luck in running,” Scott said.
“They weren’t going a gallop early on so he got a bit keen and when they sprinted he was left flat footed and plugged on well enough.
“He can have a couple of days off and then we will get him ready for the Herbie Dyke Stakes (Gr.1, 2000m) at Te Rapa in February.” - LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
