{"id":66796,"date":"2014-05-09T15:43:40","date_gmt":"2014-05-09T05:43:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=66796"},"modified":"2020-12-04T10:02:28","modified_gmt":"2020-12-04T00:02:28","slug":"fillips-for-phillips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2014\/05\/09\/fillips-for-phillips\/","title":{"rendered":"Fillips For Phillips"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Hannah<\/a>
Hannah Phillips steers Kilgharrah over the finish line at Nanango’s Easter Saturday races for the first win of her career; she’ll be riding four horses this Saturday at Burrandowan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"Gunsynd's<\/a>May 9, 2014<\/strong><\/p>\n

by Ross Stanley<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hannah Phillips – who has four rides at Burrandowan on Saturday – landed her first career winner at Nanango on Easter Saturday.<\/p>\n

Her mount was Kilgharrah, the Hidden Dragon gelding named after a fire-breathing creature from the days of King Arthur and Merlin.<\/p>\n

The debutante juvenile was prepared for its easy success over the older maidens by Oakey conditioner Patrick Sexton.<\/p>\n

“I wanted to be a jockey but Dad insisted that I complete tertiary studies first,” said the widely travelled Hannah, whose lifelong experiences with horses include playing polo in England.<\/p>\n

Her dad, Nanango rigger and part-time trainer Barry Phillips, agrees.<\/p>\n

“She was an excellent student, winning a Statewide $5,000 Deloitte award for a project assignment,” Barry said.<\/p>\n

“I felt sure she would head into a job in Project Management or Human Resources after she graduated with her business degree from Griffith University in February 2013.<\/p>\n

“I thought she would forget all about becoming a jockey. But she firmly reminded me about what I had said.”<\/p>\n

Hannah had her first ride on a racehorse during her student days.<\/p>\n

“We brought Ascot Doll out of the paddock.She was 21 years old – about Hannah’s age – and the old mare was part of her early education,” Barry recounted.<\/p>\n

“Hannah broke in a Sirtatt gelding and he became involved in the process, too.”<\/p>\n

During Phillips’ four months with trainer Barry Mitchell at Eagle Farm, Chris Munce also gave her guidance.<\/p>\n

As well as registering her initial success on April 19 in Race 1, Hannah collected a second placing on Lisa Fashionista in Race 2, and later a third placing on the Peter Sexton trained Prince of Peace in Race 4.<\/p>\n

It must have been an eerie moment for Barry when he tightened the girth on Lisa Fashionista for her Ergon Energy Handicap outing.<\/p>\n

He hoisted Hannah into the same saddle he’d used during his own apprenticeship in Perth.<\/p>\n

Hannah followed up a week later with another victory on Tornadoes at Chinchilla, with the Sel Andrews charge going within a whisker of winning again for the rookie rider at Dalby seven days later.<\/p>\n

Hannah’s occupational building blocks were lining up encouragingly in April with her first two months in raceday silk producing a 2-6-2 podium summary.<\/p>\n

Her goals and matching determination are cemented in place.<\/p>\n

“The only frustration is that I am not a Group One jockey yet.<\/p>\n

“A Melbourne Cup, a Stradbroke or a BRC Cup would be great,” she quipped.<\/p>\n

On Saturday at Burrandowan, Hannah will again partner Tornadoes and she will also be aboard Peter Blackwell’s entry Glenthorn Avenue and Tom Moloney’s pair, Famechon Baroness and Longtimenosee.<\/p>\n

Are there more wins in store for this promising young apprentice?<\/p>\n

Only time will tell.<\/p>\n

\"Hannah<\/a>
Hannah Phillips already has a business degree … now she’s determined to finish her apprenticeship (Photo: Ross Stanley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

* * *<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Melody<\/a>
Jockey Melody O’Brien often cuts a stylish figure trackside (Photo: Ross Stanley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Melody’s Modish Moments<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Melody<\/a>
Melody O’Brien in her office clothes (Photo: Ross Stanley}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Although jockeys frequently take needle eye-openings, Toowoomba rider Melody O’Brien has fashioned her own style when it comes to grabbing opportunities.<\/p>\n

The former Tasmanian often puts a noteworthy hat into the car just in case there is a chance to add a run in the “Vogue Stakes” to her official book of rides.<\/p>\n

“I won a fashion contest at the Devonport races when I was a strapper. Then I got a prize at Kilcoy last December,” Melody said.<\/p>\n

“I also had time on my hands at Esk in April and thought I may as well have a go.<\/p>\n

“I won $125, which was nearly another riding fee.”<\/p>\n

O’Brien has been a Darling Downs resident for the past six years.<\/p>\n

At the end of her apprenticeship in the autumn she’d chalked up 116 winners, including 49 at the provincials.<\/p>\n

A particular highlight was an unbowed “four from four” at a Wandoan meeting.<\/p>\n

When it comes to leisure, though, haute couture is not her favourite.<\/p>\n

Melody’s prime fancy is long distance running.<\/p>\n

She lines up for triathlons and has covered the Gold Coast half marathon.<\/p>\n

And at Burrandowan this weekend, O’Brien has a full book of rides so she might not get time to put on her fineries.<\/p>\n

Related articles:<\/strong><\/p>\n