It’s an interesting career move that now finds French rider Mickaelle Michel, below, riding in Victoria for the next six months- and if possible, longer- alongside such in-form riding talent like Celine Gaudray, Jamie Kah, Carleen Hefel, Tatum Bull, and Alana Kelly.
It’s a surprising move because Ms Michel was something of an “idol” jockey during her various short term stints in Japan, where she was trying to pass the strict exams needed to be a full-time foreign rider in the country where Christophe Lemaire reigns supreme.
On Saturday, she had one ride at Flemington for trainer Brent Stanley on outsider Serenaur that might have finished out of the money, but these are early days for Mickaelle Michel and time will tell if it’s a Oui or a Non.
With her looks, one thing’s for sure is that she won’t be short of publicity.
Meanwhile, we’re tipping that the career of Angela Jones, currently riding in Queensland mainly for the Tony Gollan yard, and having access to the experience of Robbie Fradd to improve her riding skills, is on a rapid upward trajectory.
Apparently, plans are afoot for her and partner and fellow jockey Kyle Wilson Taylor to move base and be part of racing in either New South Wales or Victoria.
Angela Jones comes across being very level headed and down to earth and with her recent attention-grabbing wins on the Gold Coast have only added to the young rider’s curriculum vitae of extra bullets.
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Changing Partners
Though the Hong Kong chapter of her fan club will be happy to see Jamie Kah back in town when she partners the Francis Lui trained Packing Treadmill in the Group 1 Centenary Sprint Cup on January 28, spare a thought for Lyle Hewitson whom she replaces on the galloper.
Why the reason for the change when the South African rider has ridden Packing Treadmill in all five starts that’s included a win and four placings?
Apparently, it was the decision of owner Edmond Lee Man-bun, who, as the owner can do whatever he wants as, after all, he owns the horse and pays the bills.
Thinking he had secured the ride on Packing Treadmill, one hears that Hewitson turned down the chance to ride another good chance in the race- and which went elsewhere by the time the rider change was decided.
To prove that loyalty is not a cheap commodity, here’s hoping that Darryl Ng keeps the always positive and hardworking Keith Yeung on the Tony Cruz trained Fallon, below, who gave the exciting four year old galloper a patient and very impressive win at Shatin on Saturday.
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