Nora to explore Gympie for first race rides

By Jordan Gerrans

Nora Palasthy is confident an extensive background in show jumping has perfectly prepared her for a career as a jockey.

The teenager will make her race riding debut on Saturday afternoon on the non-TAB program from Gympie.

The Sunshine Coast-based youngster initially thought she was heading north to the sand track with just a couple of bookings but before she knew it she had a full book across the card.

Indentured to John Holcombe at Caloundra, Palasthy has competed in show jumping events across the Sunshine State throughout her life before pursing a career in the racing industry.

The 19-year-old was inspired in the show jumping arena by her aunty who competes in the disciple in Hungary, which is where the entire family hails from.

“I started riding when I was five years old but I did not come from a 'horsey' background as neither of my parents rode or anything,” the Sunshine Coast-based hoop said.

“I got my riding from my aunty and I have done show jumping ever since then.

“I think the show jumping has helped me heaps coming into racing as it gave me all my knowledge and all my riding skills.

“It helped me understand horses and the basics of riding, what it is all like.

"It has helped me heaps.”

The keen youngster started working for the Holcombe barn as a stable hand during high school before progressing to riding track work and it has just grown from there.

The Holcombe stable have started just one horse in a race this year - Pumicestone Road – and Palasthy thinks the team is the ideal place for her to learn her trade.

“He has helped me heaps and supported me with all my decisions in what I wanted to do,” Palasthy said of Holcombe.

“He was not sure about me doing track work at first but he has supported me ever since as well as becoming a jockey, which I am really grateful for.

“I have been with John for three or so years now and he has helped me with everything.”

Like many young riders in the Sunshine Coast area, Palasthy has been mentored by former champion jockey Damian Browne.

The multiple Group 1-winner has increased his presence as a jockey mentor to emerging hoop’s over the last year or so.

As well as Palasthy, the respected Browne also works closely with apprentice's Cody Collis and Leah Martyn, among others.

“He has helped me heaps, I see him two to three times a week,” Palasthy said of the popular former rider.

“He has helped me so much with my riding and getting me fit for the races.

“After every jump-out or trial I do, he looks back at the videos with me and talks about what I can improve on or say what I did right.

“He has been so good.

“It is great because he has been so successful as a jockey and travelled around the world.”

Palasthy is a natural lightweight in the saddle and has her listed weight as 53 kg for her maiden day at the races.

She walks around comfortably at just below 52 kgs and is hopeful of lowering her riding weight in the coming months.

The debutant rider competed in her last lot of official trials on Tuesday at her home track before heading to Gympie Turf Club on Saturday.

“I finally think I am ready now,” the teenager said.

“I am really looking forward to it and seeing how I go.

“With the adrenaline of it all, I am really excited about it all.”

She has been booked to partner two gallopers from Malcolm Bailey’s team and one each for Trevor Thomas, Tony Haydon and Damien Batters on Saturday. 

Palasthy quickly identified Thomas’ Revitup Charlie in the Benchmark 45 Handicap over 1030 metres as her best hope of snaring a victory on her first day at the races.

The four-year-old mare has been placed on all three of her trips north from the Sunshine Coast to Gympie across her career.

“Revitup Charlie’s form is great and she runs well at the track,” she said.

“The horse likes the track at Gympie and she is probably my best ride of the day.

“I am looking forward to riding her as well as Damien Batters’ horse as I am quite close to him.”