Trailblazing Kiwi jockey Lisa Allpress’ riding will have an extra edge at Trentham on Saturday as she prepares to hone her fitness and form ahead of yet another international appearance.
A four-time New Zealand champion jockey, Allpress has accepted an invitation to ride in Japan in August in a jurisdiction she knows well.
Allpress’ interest in following a career path as a jockey came after attending the Japan Cup as an 18-year-old when she was working there as a trackwork rider.
“I’ve had three riding contracts there and this is the second time I’ve been invited to the World Jockeys’ Series,” Allpress said.
“I’m super excited about it. I really didn’t think I’d get the opportunity to ever ride in Japan again and I’m just humbled that I’ve been privileged enough to be asked.
“I had a really big following when I rode there last and people I’ve spoken to have told me I still have a really strong fanbase there, which is really nice to hear.
“I really love the place. Going to the Japan Cup was really what made me want to be a jockey. I was riding trackwork at a pre-training farm on a working holiday visa because that’s what my brother was doing.
“I had six months there and the boss I rode for had a horse running on Japan Cup Day and he took my brother and I along to the races. Because he was an owner, we were treated like VIPs and basically that’s where it all started for me.”
Allpress, who was contracted in Singapore and has also ridden in Australia, England, Malaysia, Macau and became the first woman to win a race in Saudi Arabia, will fulfil a speaking engagement in Japan during her time there.
“I might also try and pop down to Tokyo and see some of the trainers I used to ride for down there too. My focus over the next couple of months will be to make sure I’m ultra fit to head back to Japan and to brush up on my Japanese,” she said.
Allpress has seven rides at Trentham on Saturday, including key Parliamentary Handicap contender Pride Of Aspen.
“She went a super race last start. I perhaps should have cut the corner and got going a little bit earlier but I still it was a really good run behind Prince Alby,” Allpress said.
“I’m really looking forward to her. At the weights, she’ll be right there. She loves a wet track and she gets that and spacing her runs should have her spot on.”
Allpress has ridden the Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard-trained Pride Of Aspen on eight occasions for three wins, including a narrow win at Wanganui last month, and two placings.
She has several strong chances at Trentham, including the Allan Sharrock-trained filly Arcachon in the TAB Odds Surge Every Race 3YO.
“Arcachon was super impressive in her two starts last campaign. Her second (placing) first-up was a really good run because she just got a little bit lost but then she was far too good at her next start at Otaki,” Allpress said.
“She’s had a decent break but come back and had a couple of jumpouts. Allan’s got a massive opinion of her and I’m really looking forward to her. When she won, she just romped in.”
Allpress, who was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the racing industry in the 2021 New Year Honours, only needs 70 more wins to become just the ninth jockey to reach 2000 New Zealand winners and the first woman to achieve the milestone.
“I’m just taking each win at a time. Hopefully I’m one or two wins closer after Saturday,” she said.
