By Glenn Davis
She’s the Queen in the Sport of Kings and now Adelaide jockey Jamie Kah is vying for a slice of history which may never be equalled.
Not only is Kah, 22, aiming to become the first female rider to win a Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap, she’s also chasing the same feat in the Group 1 Queensland Derby.
Kah gets her first chance of history aboard the Andrew Noblet-trained Super Cash in the $1.5 million Stradbroke Handicap (1350m) before being legged up on Rezealient for the David Hayes stable in the Queensland Derby (2200m).
Kah had her first taste of riding in Queensland when invited to Brisbane for Racing Queensland’s State Of Origin series last summer.
She had an immediate impact winning the Listed Brisbane Handicap on the Ben Currie-trained Cantbuybetter.
But since returning home to Adelaide, Kah has gone on to be a runaway leader in the Adelaide Jockeys’ premiership with a 26-win lead over her nearest rival Todd Pannell while she is fourth in the Australian Jockeys’ premiership.
“Mum once told me I was never going to be allowed ride in races but that lasted a week,” Kah said.
“I’ve been riding for five years now and I love horses and my job.”
Kah, who travelled to England for the world equestrian championships, believes both Super Cash and Rezealient have good chances to give her a breakthrough Group 1 win.
Kah finished fourth on Super Cash in the Group 1 Goodwood Handicap at Morphettville last month while Rezealient ran second in the Group 1 South Australian Derby.
“Super Cash is a quirky little horse and has been unlucky in a few races,” Kah said.
“She’s only little and needs plenty of room.
“I don’t think the step up in distance (to 1350m) is an issue and the wet won’t bother her at all.”
Rezealient only won his maiden four starts back but has since been placed twice at Listed level before his last start second in the SA Derby.
“He’s a big stayer and this is a step back in trip but he’s freshened up well,” she said.
“Next year he’s going to make a very good stayer.”
Kah indicated she may retire from the saddle in five years but in the meantime, she hopes to win as many Group 1’s as possible.
“It’s every jockeys ambition to win a Group 1 and I’ve love to get a few before then,” she said.
Racing Queensland webnews June 8