Sophie Conlon
In a picture perfect finish Millicent Pony Club’s Stacey Edwards has made history, winning the inaugural small pony National Pony Racing Series.
The series reached its peak with a thrilling final at Sydney’s Royal Randwick Racecourse on Saturday, April 20.
Winning the race was an early birthday present for Stacey, who turned 13 on April 21.
“It feels pretty good,” she said.
“It is a big thrill to race on the track and to come home with the win was even better.”
She said the track was bumpy thanks to the rain, but that did not stop her from overtaking Western Australia rider Aspen Pike on the outside at the last second and taking the win.
The National Pony Racing Series has been running over the last eight months and Stacey said a lot of training with her pony Napoleon in the lead up to the finals.
“I just lunged him every night and did lots of work like that,” she said.
Arriving at the Inglis Riverside complex on Tuesday, April 16, Stacey said the training there looked a bit different to home.
“We went to see Godolphin, it was a very, very big opportunity to get to there, it was very different to what we have in the bush,” she said.
“Their stables were immaculate and very well looked after.”
Normally taking part in Barrel Racing and Show Jumping, Stacey said this was the biggest event she had competed in yet.
Stacey said she would like to see the event continue and compete again next year.
