Siena Grima is making significant inroads into Braith Nock’s lead in the Sydney apprentices’ premiership, adding an exciting layer to the final weeks of the 2026 racing season.
Nock, last year’s champion junior rider, kicked off Saturday’s Rosehill meeting with a Highway Handicap (1500m) victory aboard Portofino ($7.50). Grima, however, responded effectively, securing a double for her trainer, Chris Waller, with wins on Tarzing ($3.60) and the favourite Surf’s Up ($2.70).
Her successful day continued when she combined with trainer Matthew Smith to win the Schweppes Handicap (1200m) aboard Ready To Shine.
With nine metropolitan race meetings remaining in the current 2025-26 racing term, Grima has now registered 28 city winners, bringing her within two of Nock. She also has the advantage of being associated with Sydney’s leading stable.
Darren Beadman, assistant trainer to Chris Waller and a former accomplished jockey, believes the competition between Grima and Nock is highly beneficial for the sport.
“She is making a good go of it. It’s great for racing to have a bit of competition like this over the last month,” Beadman commented. “Braith has done a tremendous job last year, and to continue on into the next season being strong.”
Beadman, who is mentoring Grima, singled out her ride on Surf’s Up in Saturday’s Find Your Eternal Warrior @ The Chase Handicap (1400m) for special praise.
He had advised her to follow the same tactics as her previous win on Tarzing, which involved sitting just off the pace. However, he was pleased to see her back her own tactical decision when the race’s early tempo changed.
“I told her to bang her out and copy-paste last ride, just in behind the lead, but when she elected to let (jockey) Anna Roper cross her and be three pairs back on the fence, that was the winning move,” Beadman said. “She could have kept holding her spot and using gas all the way. A ride beyond her years of riding, and she was strong at the finish.”
Grima has openly stated her ambition to overtake Nock and claim the Sydney apprentices’ premiership. If successful, she will become the fourth female apprentice to achieve this, following Kathy O’Hara (2004-05), Winona Costin (2014-15), and Rachel King (2017-18).
“It’s going to be really exciting. He’s a great opponent,” Grima stated.
The closely contested apprentice jockey premiership adds extra intrigue to the upcoming races, with many keen to see the racing odds on offer.
