Changing the face of racing

Both young women are proving to be the faces of their respective industries - Ashlee in harness racing and Kathy in the gallops.

On Saturday at Rosehill Gardens Kathy rode Chance Bye in the Golden Slipper but this time there was to be no fairytale ending for the former Dubbo apprentice jockey with her horse unplaced despite being unbeaten in three lead-up races.

It comes as no surprise that the thoroughbred industry has recognised not only the talents of Kathy O’Hara but also her good looks and her charm.

This in turn has been used as a marketing tool to get young people to the races.

This season from August 1 she has ridden 45 winners and that figure will rise dramatically in the next four months being a popular rider for owners and trainers.

Like Ashlee Siejka, O’Hara is a product of country racing and has done the hard yards to make a name for herself in a tough world.

She rates her former master Peter Nestor at Dubbo as one of the inspirations behind her success.

Bathurst’s Ashlee Siejka has come along the same road as O’Hara, being brought up with horses and is now one of the most recognisable faces in that industry. She’s been driving for four years and has been doing very well at it.

Already this season she has 83 winners to her credit from 300 race drive and her horses have won more than $426,000 in prize money. She is second on the NSW Driver’s premiership behind Greg Bennett (of Karloo Mick fame) who has driven 114 winners.

Siejka works two days a week in Sydney and the rest of week travels around to the top race tracks driving winners.

And that work ethic brought her to Dubbo on Saturday when he piloted home the champion Intoxicated in the $30,000 Karloo Mick Pacing Cup.

“Having the two days a week in Sydney working at a equine veterinary clinic is good, then the rest of week I’m travelling around driving at the races,” she said Saturday night.

“I get through a fair few miles each week and try to get to as many meetings as I can.

“With my win tonight on Intoxicated I think I’m up to about 82, so that’s also pleasing.”

With that mind, how does Intoxicated rate?

“No question, he’s the best. He’s got so much character and he’s a racing machine, He’s tough, he’s got speed and everything you ask him to do he does. He really fights and he gives his all,” she said.

“It’s hard to find a horse that will do that - and of course he’s got the ability on top as well, which is very important.

“Every driver hopes to get behind a horse like this. He does all the work and it’s a good feeling running along and to know that he’s got more to offer at the end of his races.”

The bonus for Ashlee Siejka is that she is a part-owner of Intoxicated, an honour she shares with Brett Hogan.

As well, her father Mick Siejka is the trainer.

With the $20,050 first place cheque from Saturday night, the four-year-old horse has now won more than $100,000 in prize money and has now won his past nine races.

One can only wonder how much more he can earn on the race track and at stud when that time comes.

Overall his career record is 12 wins and two placings from 17 starts.