Timing is finally right for Olivia Kendal

By Jordan Gerrans

Finally able to obtain some consistency in her riding, in-form jockey Olivia Kendal feels she is now fully showcasing her talent in the saddle.

She is one of the hottest riders in the Sunshine State at the moment.

Dating back to December 19 of last year, Kendal has piloted eight winners.

Since then, she nabbed a Toowoomba double on December 21, which preceded an Ipswich winner at the day meeting, before heading to the Darling Downs.

She then collected a double at Ipswich on the 27^th of last month before doing the same at Clifford Park the following day.

All in all, Kendal has picked up eight winners in her last 26 engagements.

“I have always known I could ride, but every time I got on a roll – I got hurt,” she said.

“I never got the chance. Riding more is helpful now because when I was sitting on the sidelines, I was watching so much racing. That is a big factor and that helped, as well.”

Kendal lived in Townsville for several of her schooling years.

As the Ipswich-based hoop notes, she has battled through a ‘stop-start’ career as an apprentice since she debuted back in the 2020-21 campaign.

Kendal posted 26 victories in the 2021-22 term while riding at more than a 20 per cent strike-rate but she has been halted by injuries on multiple occasions in the years since.

A happy hunting ground of Kendal’s of late is Rockhampton’s Callaghan Park and she heads north on Thursday with four rides as she aims to keep the positive results rolling.

After multiple injury setbacks in recent years, the hard-working apprentice deserved a slice of luck and she is finally getting it on the track.

With her learnings and setbacks over the years, Kendal feels she has matured as a rider and is now getting the best out of her mounts.

She thought at times previously she was going for home too early in races but is now more patient.

“I have been getting better rides but also, I think my timing is much better right now,” she said.

“For a little while there, I was out with my timing and making lots of mistakes and not the right decisions. I have slowed down a little bit and thought about things a lot more with my riding.

“I just used to go to early in races – I am timing my runs more so now – or leave it too late. I am getting the right timing based of the horse and the distance.

“I think I am doing the right thing in races, while also getting on better horses.”

Kendal is indentured to Beau Gorman who encourages her to ride outside work, which allows her to head to Clifford Park and Ipswich as well as Donna Stanbridge’s ‘Mishani’ complex.

That all helps in picking up more race day opportunities.

The Matt Kropp barn have been a big supporter of Kendal’s in recent months.

As the emerging hoop has been riding at Clifford and Callaghan Park more consistently, she feels she is getting more familiar with her surroundings.

Impressive three-year-old Scrub Chain for Central Queensland trainer Tom Smith looms as Kendal’s best winning hope at Rockhampton Jockey Club on Thursday.

After winning his last two, the chestnut gelding looks well placed in the QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap over 1300 metres.

“Tom’s looks a pretty good chance, the horse is in-form and has won his last two,” she said.

“It is probably the best horse in the race. He has been racing well and he gets weight relief from my claim and he gets a good gate, as well. He should get an easy run.”

She will also partner Darling Clementine for Mary Hassam, Denis Schultz’s Love My Louis and Just Bingo for conditioner Darryl Gardiner later in the program.

The victory aboard Graysong for Rockhampton trainer Michael Stephens got the ball rolling for Kendal on December 19.

The ride drew praise from the trainer.

“I like Olivia as a rider, she still has a lot to learn but I thought she rode the horse well,” Stephens said.

“She rode another one for me that day and she couldn’t have done any more than what she did on that horse – she was a victim of circumstances.

“She rode to instructions on Graysong – she did everything perfect and the horse did the same thing we thought he would do.”

Kendal is also booked for rides at Caloundra on Saturday.