Reedy all about it

By Jordan Gerrans

With her father on the board of the Toowoomba Turf Club, it was a fitting result for rookie trainer Ashtyn Reedy to land her first winner at Clifford Park.

Ashtyn is the daughter of longtime Darling Downs owner and racing administrator Paul.

And, Paul owns the galloper that kick-started Ashtyn’s tenure as a conditioner.

Young filly Blue Eye Dame was a dominant winner on Melbourne Cup day at Clifford Park, skipping away by more than five lengths in a commanding performance.

The three-year-old almost started Ashtyn’s time as a trainer in perfect fashion back in February when the filly just went down in a photo-finish at her first start.

Ashtyn had to wait six more races with her filly for the pair to break their maiden status together.

Montanna Savva was in the saddle when Blue Eye Dame won Tuesday’s Maiden Plate over 1000 metres.

“It was very exciting and I honestly couldn’t believe it really, especially to win by the margin she did,” Ashtyn said.

“I did not think she could do that, but she did.

“Hopefully she can just keep improving from this.”

Blue Eye Dame had been to the city a couple of times in the early stages of her career and thrived in the drop back in grade to non-TAB racing on Tuesday.

As the first horse Ashtyn has prepared in her time as a trainer, the filly has been a work in progress.

“We have always thought she had some ability but she has always been doing it a bit backwards, going too hard and not being able to finish her races,” Ashtyn said.

“We are trying out a few bits of a gear and we thought bringing her back to a non-TAB race, that might get her confidence back up.

“I think changing the gear on her has started to pay off. Hopefully she can go on with it from there.”

The 25-year-old prepares a team of two at Toowoomba, Blue Eye Dame joined in her stable with an unnamed two-year-old.

After growing up competing in showjumping and going to the races with her father, Ashtyn has worked as a stable hand for multiple Weetwood Handicap-winning mentor Kevin Kemp for the last five or so years.

Paul has long owned gallopers with the Kemp barn.

The veteran Kemp has been a close mentor to the emerging trainer in recent years.

“He is always very happy to help or offer any guidance if you need it,” Ashtyn said.

“You can always approach him with any question, no matter how stupid you might think it is. He is very easy-going so you never feel any pressure.

“He kind of put the idea in my head to give training a go myself, he has always helped me along the way.

“At this stage I am happy to have a couple of horses in work and keep working for 'Kempy'.

“I would like to have my own stable eventually but I am not in any rush to do that because I still have a lot to learn.”

Paul is the Deputy Chairman of the Toowoomba Turf Club and was heavily involved in the early stages of developing the King Of The Mountain race at Clifford Park.

“He bought the horse and wanted me to have a go with her,” Ashtyn said of Blue Eye Dame.

Paul was not at the races on Tuesday to celebrate his daughter’s special occasion, as he was overseas on a business trip, but luckily Ashtyn’s mum was there for the significant milestone. 

“I am glad she could make it and celebrate with me,” the young trainer said.

Ashtyn says she will now go searching for a Class 1 or lower Benchmark race as Blue Eye Dame chases the second win of her career in the coming weeks.