By Craig Kerry
There’s no doubt Molly Bourke would love to be in the race for the Sydney apprentices’ title come the end of the season.
And after riding a winner at three of the past four Saturday city meetings, the 21-year-old is putting herself in the frame for a run at the premiership, which is now a wide open race after Zac Lloyd’s progression to the senior ranks this week.
Molly Bourke after winning on The Novelist last Saturday at Kembla Grange. Credit: Getty Images
But first, Bourke wants a stakes race win.
It’s a hunger fuelled even more by the closest of calls in the group 2 The Hunter (1300m) in Newcastle two weeks ago on $31 shot Felix Majestic. The Gary Nickson-trained gelding led until a stride before the winning post, before boom sprinter Briasa got the bob in.
“It was a massive thrill,” Bourke said. “It was a terrific effort by the horse. A couple of times down the straight I thought he was beaten, but he really fought hard to the line.”
Bourke was down to ride Felix Majestic again in Saturday’s group 3 Festival Stakes (1500m), but a shocking draw in 17 and likelihood of a rain-hit track at Rosehill means he is a doubtful starter.
Molly Bourke wins aboard Uzziah at Newcastle earlier this month.Credit: Getty Images
The likely scratching will leave Bourke with one stakes chance on the day, the Matthew Smith-trained Floating in the listed ATC Cup (2000m). Floating, which was second to runaway winner Townsend at Newcastle last start, was a $15 Sportsbet hope from a draw in 14.
Smith said Floating, which has a win and four placings on five heavy-track starts, would run.
“He was good last start, and he didn’t really get a crack at them,” Smith said. “He didn’t get out until late, but he ran very well and is going well.”
Bourke added: “He ran a great race at Newcastle. The leader just got away from us, and we had to wait for a run, but it was still a massive run. Another tricky draw that’s going to be hard to overcome, but if he can, he will be very competitive.”
Bourke, who is indentured to Randwick trainer John Sargent, has six winners in town this season, after grabbing 20 in her first full campaign in Sydney. Zac Wadick (11) and Ben Osmond (9) will be others trying to run down Lloyd, the two-time champion apprentice, who finished on 21 winners for 2024-25.
A champion NSW country apprentice before making the move from Wagga Wagga 19 months ago, Bourke has quickly endeared herself to the Sydney racing public with her talent and vibrant personality.
Now a two-kilogram claimer, she hopes to become a mainstay in town well past her apprenticeship.
“I’ve only got a year left, that’s before extensions, so I’m just trying to make a name for myself,” she said. “It would be lovely if I could win the apprentices’ title, but that’s a goal towards the end of the season.
“It definitely would be great [to win a stakes race], to prove yourself without that claim. Getting opportunities in these races has been amazing. I’ve had a few now, and a couple of close ones, but to get there would be amazing.
“It’s going great up here. Being with Sarge, he’s helped me so much and got me going. I think I’ve settled in now and found my place in [the Sydney jockeys’ rooms]. It’s probably still a bit quiet some Saturdays in the girls’ room, there’s not many of us. We have our competitive sides, but we all get along quite well.”
Growing up in Tooma, two hours’ drive south-east of Wagga, Bourke has had to carve out a riding career without a family connection to the sport.
“We never had family in racing, but I always watched it and thought, why not? Get paid to ride horses, and I was always little,” she said.
“We had stock horses and I did a lot of campdrafting, and some showjumping with my mum. My family love it. I think it’s a long way from where they expected we’d get with it.
“The living is a little bit different. I’m still probably a country girl, but obviously I’m working that much that you don’t really notice it.
“Being in a stable like Sarge’s, I’ve got friends there, which gives you a bit of a social life, so it’s worked out really well. I’m enjoying it so much.”
