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James Winks and Brad Rawiller will represent Australia at the annual International Jockeys’ Weekend (IJW) in Mauritius on December 3 and 4.
The two Melbourne riders have been picked to compete against an international line-up of jockeys hailing from France, Italy, Japan, South Africa, Mauritius and possibly, Hong Kong. Winks owes his selection largely to his excellent performance at the Mauritius Turf Club where he has been riding on a retainer with trainer Patrick Merven since July, currently sitting in seventh spot on the log on 13 winners from 78 rides, while Rawiller will be at his first riding experience on the Indian Ocean island.
The Rawiller name will not be seen on a Mauritius race card for the first time, though, as Brad’s elder brother Nash competed in the same jockeys’ series in 2013, winning three races and finishing second overall, but did clinch the team’s title.
The other eight invited jockeys this year are Maxime Guyon, the IJW winner for France in 2014, Christian Demuro (Italy), Kenichi Ikezoe (Japan), Donavan Mansour and Bernard Fayd’Herbe (South Africa), Rai Joorawon and Swapneel Rama (Mauritius) and possibly, Matthew Chadwick, who has yet to accept the invitation for Hong Kong.
Winks was obviously pleased with the invitation as it will be the first time he takes part in such a challenge, but he also sees it as the icing on the cake to a successful season for Merven.
“It’ll be a great honour to represent Australia with Brad at this International jockeys’ series, and here, I have to thank the Mauritius Turf Club for the invitation. It’ll be a good opportunity to test myself against such world-class riders,” said Winks.
“It’s a nice way to cap the great season I’ve had in Mauritius. I came here halfway through the season not knowing much what to expect, but Patrick and the owners have been fantastic, and their new horses have started to hit their straps when I arrived, which helped a lot.
“I rode another winner for them today (Saturday). It was a favorite (Seeking The Dream) and on his work and the first time I rode him in a race, I knew he was my best chance for the day.
“There are three meetings left before the International weekend. It’d be great if I can bring a few more winners for the stable.
“I’m really looking forward to the series now. Even though they will draw the rides, I have the advantage of knowing the horses here and even four of the jockeys I will compete against, Donavan, Bernard, Rai and Rama as they ride here.”
Winks returns to Australia with his young family after the International meeting and will take a Christmas break before looking to resume riding in Melbourne in mid-January. He then heads back to Mauritius for another contract with the same yard next March when the new 2017 racing season kicks off.
