Irish apprentice Robbie Dolan risked it all to come to Australia, only to be refused a riding licence in Melbourne. But he has found a home in Sydney and rode his first city double on Easy Eddie and Gresham on the Kensington track at Randwick on Saturday.
Both were favourites, making the three-kilo claimer the toast of punters, especially after taking an inside run to get Gresham home.
Twice the fun: Robbie Dolan after completing his double on Gresham.Credit:AAP
The 22-year-old was recommended to trainer Mark Newnham after riding work for John Sadler in 2016 and not being granted a licence in Victoria.
“I couldnt get a licence in Melbourne, so I was lucky that I came up here and Mark helped me out,” Dolan said. “It was good to get a chance.
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“I came out here with nothing, it was a pretty big risk.”
Dolan has developed through the ranks, riding in the country and provincial areas before coming to Sydney.
Gresham ($2.15) was Dolans first ride for premier trainer Chris Waller, and he made the most of it.
“I dont use apprentices that often because in Sydney a three-kilo claim is irrelevent when you are taking on the top jockeys,” Waller said. “We decided to claim on Gresham today, and I dont think anyone could have done that any better.”
Dolan sat behind the speed set by Sir Plush ($6.50) and, when the leader rolled away from the fence, he kicked through on his inside in the straight. He took all the straight and the three-kilo advantage to get past Sir Plush.
“I was able to track up behind the leader and I thought I was going to get him a bit easier but he gave a good kick,” Dolan said. “He is a nice horse and it is good to get a winner for Mr Waller.”
Dolan said even though he had come to Randwick on two favourites he was taking nothing for granted. He delivered a couple of polished efforts.
“You can put pressure on yourself, so I just tried to keep it simple and ride them the best I can,” he said. “Its very good day.”
While it was a first ride and win for the Waller stable, Dolan kept his good association with Easy Eddie, which he will ride again in the Takeover Target Stakes at Gosford later in the month.
“I told him he will have the ride already. He hasn't done anything wrong him, and the horse runs for him,” trainer Joe Pride said. “He knows him, which is very important.”
Dolan camped on the speed on Easy Eddie ($1.55)and let him go through his gears as he scored by 1¾ lengths from Intuition ($3.60) and Ever So Natural ($20).
“I think he is a better horse chasing, Dolan said.
“As long as he has got something to gun down he will keep finding and finding.
“He was in behind the leader there, then peeled off and I never really asked him to do much, he picked up himself.
“He is going to a stakes race next and I think he has earned it. He has a lot of promise.
Racing writer for The Sydney Morning Herald
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Irish apprentice Robbie Dolan risked it all to come to Australia, only to be refused a riding licence in Melbourne. But he has found a home in Sydney and rode his first city double on Easy Eddie and Gresham on the Kensington track at Randwick on Saturday.
Both were favourites, making the three-kilo claimer the toast of punters, especially after taking an inside run to get Gresham home.
Twice the fun: Robbie Dolan after completing his double on Gresham.Credit:AAP
The 22-year-old was recommended to trainer Mark Newnham after riding work for John Sadler in 2016 and not being granted a licence in Victoria.
“I couldnt get a licence in Melbourne, so I was lucky that I came up here and Mark helped me out,” Dolan said. “It was good to get a chance.
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“I came out here with nothing, it was a pretty big risk.”
Dolan has developed through the ranks, riding in the country and provincial areas before coming to Sydney.
Gresham ($2.15) was Dolans first ride for premier trainer Chris Waller, and he made the most of it.
“I dont use apprentices that often because in Sydney a three-kilo claim is irrelevent when you are taking on the top jockeys,” Waller said. “We decided to claim on Gresham today, and I dont think anyone could have done that any better.”
Dolan sat behind the speed set by Sir Plush ($6.50) and, when the leader rolled away from the fence, he kicked through on his inside in the straight. He took all the straight and the three-kilo advantage to get past Sir Plush.
“I was able to track up behind the leader and I thought I was going to get him a bit easier but he gave a good kick,” Dolan said. “He is a nice horse and it is good to get a winner for Mr Waller.”
Dolan said even though he had come to Randwick on two favourites he was taking nothing for granted. He delivered a couple of polished efforts.
“You can put pressure on yourself, so I just tried to keep it simple and ride them the best I can,” he said. “Its very good day.”
While it was a first ride and win for the Waller stable, Dolan kept his good association with Easy Eddie, which he will ride again in the Takeover Target Stakes at Gosford later in the month.
“I told him he will have the ride already. He hasn't done anything wrong him, and the horse runs for him,” trainer Joe Pride said. “He knows him, which is very important.”
Dolan camped on the speed on Easy Eddie ($1.55)and let him go through his gears as he scored by 1¾ lengths from Intuition ($3.60) and Ever So Natural ($20).
“I think he is a better horse chasing, Dolan said.
“As long as he has got something to gun down he will keep finding and finding.
“He was in behind the leader there, then peeled off and I never really asked him to do much, he picked up himself.
“He is going to a stakes race next and I think he has earned it. He has a lot of promise.
Racing writer for The Sydney Morning Herald
