SWEENEY SWEET ON CITY DEBUT

Interview with jockey Brooke Sweeney for racing.com (June 2014)

Victorian apprentice Brooke Sweeney will take the next step in her career in the saddle tomorrow when she rides at her first city meeting at Sportingbet Park.

The 19-year-old will partner Bon Hoffa filly Sweet Emily for her father, Jerilderie-based trainer Phil Sweeney, in the $35,000 Nine West Plate (1000m).

Sweeney, who has partnered the three-year-old in wins at Wagga, Berrigan and Albury, said the family connection would add to the significance of a win in tomorrow's race.

“I'm pretty excited to kick off in town, especially with my first ride being for Dad. I’ve been with the filly all the way through, from her first official trial at Jerilderie where we won by 15 lengths,” Sweeney said.

“She’s quite green but now she’s really putting it together and I’m really excited to be riding her. To get that winner in town first up for Dad would be awesome.”

Sweeney made her riding debut at Balranald in November 2012 and rode her first winner at Towong in December 2012. She has ridden 32 winners in her career so far.

Apprenticed to Wangaratta-based trainers John and Chris Ledger, who also pre-train for Melbourne trainers including Mick Price, Sweeeney said she had gained a lot of her experience by riding a wide variety of horses.

“I ride pretty much all of the pre-trainers. They usually try and put me on them before they go down to Caulfield to Mick, to make sure they’re suitable to go down there and that they’re fit enough,” Sweeney said.

“I’m quite lucky to get on those expensive horses as well. I was lucky enough to sit on Lankan Rupee when he was a colt, and Samaready too. They just give you a different feel and I’ve learnt so much just from riding them.”

Sweeney is currently completing her third year of Racing Victoria’s Apprentice Jockey Training Program, and will ride against fellow apprentices Katelyn Mallyon, Jye McNeil and Harry Coffey in tomorrow’s race.