By Jordan Gerrans
Teenager Nikki Olzard believes years of guidance under former top provincial hoop Adrian Coome has readied her for her own riding journey.
The Rockhampton product has been working under the Callaghan Park trainer since she was in high school before taking on an apprenticeship as a jockey.
The 18-year-old began working between five and 10 hours a week as a stable hand for the Coome barn, progressing to riding track work and then onto becoming a jockey.
Olzard has recently completed her required set of public trials and is on the verge of her debut race rides, which will come at Gladstone on Saturday afternoon.
Olzard – who hails from the Gracemere area just outside Rockhampton – described her emotions as a mixture of nerves and excitement ahead of her first day as a professional jockey.
The 33-year-old Coome won several big Central Queensland races in the saddle – as well as claiming premierships – and Olzard says he has been a perfect mentor for her career.
“I have had a lot of support to get to where I am today,” Olzard said.
“Adrian has been a really big help to me.
“He has been a great help, even just riding track work with him you learn a lot on the go.
“He was such a good jockey when he was riding in races and because he knew all the tracks around here very well, he has been a big help.
“He helps me understand everything.”
Coome will make the trip to Gladstone on Saturday to support his apprentice in her first day at the races.