While loadshedding and track conditions precipitated something of an uncertain start to Tuesday’s Vaal racemeeting, there was no stopping 22 year old Kelsey Munger who made a winning debut as an amateur jockey when storming home like a seasoned pro in the opening Workriders Maiden Plate.
Kelsey is all concentration as Miss Soho keeps at it to beat the favourite Mandalay (Pic – JC Photos)
In something of a sentimental partnership – both her workrider brother Trent and her professional jockey husband Ryan have ridden the filly in races – Fortune Racing assistant trainer and workrider Kelsey Munger rode a confident and well balanced race, claiming her 1,5kgs sex allowance to get Miss Soho home in a tight finish.
Talking to the Sporting Post afterwards, the lifetime horsewoman and daughter of proud former trainer Craig Mayhew, said it was all over before she knew what was happening.
Kelsey’s winning smile says it all (Pic – JC Photos)
“My husband and my brother warned me – hang on tight as it would be over in a flash. And, oh boy, it sure was!” laughed a delighted Kelsey, who modestly added that she was fortunate to be drawn 1 and thus only had horses to her left.
“Miss Soho is a lovely filly. We were out of the gates in a flash and next minute I turned to Tshepiso at the pull-up and asked him who won it! He didn’t know – I didn’t either, but as we returned to the winner’s enclosure, I realised it was good when they told me to ‘raise your hand it’s your first winner!’ Wow, what a moment. I’m so happy and thankful to Ashley Fortune and her team and so pleased for Adam and Shannon Rosenthal as this was their first winner as owners, too!”
The daughter of Master Of My Fate, who has been a model of consistency, started at 3-1 and is owned in partnership by the Rosenthals, former champion jockey Andrew Fortune and the happy winning rider!
In the Fortune Racing tradition, supporter and owner Katelyn Whittington lifted the winning rider for the photographer (Pic – JC Photos)
Kelsey also thanked her husband Ryan, who has had her working on the equicizer ‘every day for two months!’
“I need to have ten qualifying rides down the straight so I will probably only have my next ride if I get one in November. I can’t wait!”
Trainer Ashley Fortune said that she was thrilled to have given the hardworking Kelsey her first winner.
“She rides well and loves the horses. This is so well deserved,” added Ashley.
