Direen (23) and partner KC Walters will take up track riding positions with leading Victorian trainer Darren Weir late next month.
The next meeting at Wingatui after today is on Melbourne Cup day (November 1) so today’s seven-race card is Direen’s last race meeting as a jockey at Wingatui — for now, at least.
"[We] have been talking about it for a wee while but didn’t do anything about it," she said.
White Robe Lodge stud manager Wayne Stewart has sold many horses to Weir, last year’s Melbourne Cup-winning trainer, and provided Direen with a contact.
"We wanted to go to Sydney but there were no jobs there at the time, then Wayne got on to the racing manager at Darren Weir’s and he said there’s a job there for us so we took it."
Both Direen and Walters will be employed as track riders at the large operation at Ballarat, although Direen will happily take race rides if they are available.
It would seem fitting if Direen could wrap up her time in Wingatui with a victory aboard Dream Divine in race 6.Direen has been on the Rodd McKenzie-trained mare for her past five starts, recording three seconds, a third and a fifth.
The most recent time the pair were at Wingatui on June 30, they looked to have the 1600m maiden wrapped up until Odi Et Amo caught them on the line.
So is today the day for Dream Divine after 15 starts in the maiden grade?
"I hope so," Direen said.
"She’s got a good draw and loves the wet track."
The scratchings of Bloodstream and Wild Jack makes Direen’s task easier and barrier 3 (with Wild Jack coming out) gives Direen the opportunity to lead.
"She’s always going to be there in the finish. It’s just a matter of whether she can get her nose in front at the right time."
Direen also likes the chances of Flicka Of Gold in a seven-horse field in the rating 65 1200m, especially after a solid effort for fourth at Riccarton on August 13.
"He went absolutely huge at Riccarton last start, she said.
"He had no weight on his back there but that was a good field there. It’s not a very strong field and he’s been working good so I can see him in the finish somewhere."
Traffic concerns should not be a factor in a small field, but Direen has the option anyway of putting the Steve Tyler-trained galloper where it suits.
"He can race from anywhere, so we’ll see what happens from the jump."
Itemize began his career impressively, including a third at Riccarton during last year’s New Zealand Cup carnival, but the firm tracks began to take their toll when he finished 11th and 13th in the summer.
"He was shin sore the last two starts so that’s why he was put out in the paddock," Direen explained.
"He’s come back stronger this year so whatever he does tomorrow, he should improve from it."
The son of Gallant Guru has only experienced good and dead tracks on race day, but Direen expects today’s rain-affected track to be no problem for the 4yr-old.
"At the jumpouts he’s been on a slow track and has handled them all right, so hopefully it shouldn’t be a worry."
No Charge (race 4) should be able to get handy to the pace for Direen over 1200m, but Zah Champ (race 2) needs to match his track work with some race-day form.
"He works up really good then gets to the races, puts himself there but doesn’t finish it off."
Direen, who went to Kaikorai Valley College, will find it hard to say goodbye to the good friends she has made in the racing industry over the past seven years, but is excited about the next chapter.
"Everybody has helped me but we’ve got to try something different and see how we go."
Tips from the talent
Terry Kennedy
• Black Iziah (Race 6, No 4)
Samantha Wynne
• Killa Question (Race 2, No 4)
Kelvin Tyler
• Flying Sardine (Race 4, No 3)
Shane Anderton
• So Gallant (Race 6, No 9)
Kylie Williams
• Pinnacle Bay (Race 6, No 3)
