Peta Edwards' dream NQ return

By Jordan Gerrans

In a homecoming that was 16 years in the making, North Queensland’s Peta Edwards couldn’t have dreamed of a better return.

The 41-year-old started her apprenticeship in the area before relocating to Western Australia following the sad passing of her mother Karen to cancer. 

Tragically, Edwards’ mother passed away just months after she welcomed her son Tattaum into the world. 

After more than a decade of riding in WA, headlined by strong results at Geraldton and Carnarvon, Edwards has shifted back to Townsville.

She tasted first-up success on Saturday afternoon, piloting Pontius to victory for local conditioner Steven Royes in the opening event at Cluden Park.

The Indigenous hoop couldn’t wipe the smile from her face when she returned to the mounting yard as she nabbed her first winner back in her hometown in 16 years.

“I have ridden in Listed races in WA and never got that nervous before a race,” she admitted.

“Just being at home and coming back from Western Australia, you cannot live off the name from your riding in WA.

“You need to produce the goods. It was good that I got the pressure off.

“It is great to get some support since I have been back.”

To make the victory even sweeter, Edwards’ son Tattaum strapped first-starter Pontius.

Tattaum is aiming to follow in his mother's footsteps and step into the riding ranks in the coming years.

Edwards kicked off her career in May of 2005 at Cloncurry and grabbed her maiden triumph at Hughenden the following month.

She enjoyed consistent success in the north – registering a combined 40 winners at Townsville, Mackay and Home Hill – in the coming years before the tragic passing of her mother.

She did plenty of riding for her stepfather Phillip Alley in the old days when he prepared a team of gallopers.

Edwards recalls her beloved Mum cheering home her winners at Home Hill during her apprenticeship.

“We lost Mum three months after I had Tattaum,” she said.

“It was the change of scenery I needed, moving to WA.  I had to get out and change something.

“I couldn’t bear to be there in North Queensland without my Mum being here.

“When you have your first child, you expect your Mum to be there the whole way through but unfortunately, she wasn’t, but she was there at Tattaum's birth.

“It affected me so much when we lost her.”

When the North Queenslander departed the Sunshine State in 2009, she linked up with champion WA trainer Fred Kersley to complete her apprenticeship.

For a young rider to be mentored by the conditioner of the great Northerly, it was a serious thrill for Edwards.

She has enjoyed a fruitful spell in WA, headlined by the 2018-19 campaign where she collected 37 winners.

Edwards was particularly prolific for trainer Barry Newnham. 

She registered 28 winners for Newnham in her riding tenure at a stunning strike-rate of 28.6%.

It was fitting that Edwards scored first-up for Royes as the former Mount Isa-based trainer has backed her since she has been back in NQ.

Pontius was having his first start for Royes after initially trialing in New South Wales for Mark Minervini. 

Pontius is raced by leviathan North Queensland owner Tom Hedley.

The jockey recalls Hedley’s prominent orange silks racing in feature events when she was a youngster.

So, to be donning Hedley’s colours on Saturday afternoon, it was a full-circle moment for Edwards.

“Steven has been phenomenal since we have been back,” Edwards said.

“He trusted me first-up, he could have put anybody else on. I cannot thank him enough.

“I was a bit nervous before the race because when I grew up, I used to watch the Hedley horses going around and you wished you could get those opportunities.

“The first ride back for me, it was great. He is still green and raw the horse, he is still pretty young.

“From the time I ride him trackwork about five weeks ago, I always had an opinion of him. I think going forward, the horse could be really good.”

Edwards had two other rides at Cluden Park on Saturday. 

The win of Pontius’ was Edwards first since May of this year.