By Craig Kerry
Veteran jockey Jeff Penza is content riding on the provincial and country circuits, but when Chris Waller calls needing someone to fill the void in town, he answers.
And Waller says it’s an honour to give the 55-year-old opportunities.
Jeff Penza rides Summer Flame to victory in the Denise’s Joy Stakes at Scone on May 17.Credit: Getty Images
Penza will make a rare trip to a Saturday metropolitan meeting to partner up to six Waller-trained runners, including WJ McKell Cup chance Je Zous, on the 10-race card at Rosehill.
“I’d struggle to get seven rides at the provincials on a Saturday, so very happy,” said Penza, who was down for seven Waller rides before Chica Mojito was scratched on Thursday.
“I don’t do a lot of trackwork for him, but I always fill the gaps when they need me to. If they ring me up the night before and ask me to do trackwork, I’m always going to say yes.
“We go back a long, long way. I’m pretty sure I was riding for him when he first came over from New Zealand [in 2000], so he’s very supportive and I appreciate it very much.”
Penza rides consistently for Waller at provincial meetings, but he has enjoyed success with the premier Sydney stable at higher levels, including with long-shot Summer Flame just last month in the listed Denise’s Joy Stakes at Scone.
Waller said there were “lots of options, but we had no hesitation going to Jeff” for Saturday’s runners.
“He’s a credit to himself and his family, how fit he keeps himself, and he’s a real horseman,” said Waller, who will win a 15th consecutive Sydney trainers premiership.
Jeff Penza makes a rare trip to the big smoke on Saturday.Credit: Getty Images
“It’s an honour to be able to give him rides.
“We used to see it with the likes of Robert Thompson this time of year, who come to town and not only ride the horses well but give you valuable feedback. He’s a great rider.”
Waller has Je Zous ($31 Sportsbet) and Age Of Kings ($23) in the listed McKell Cup (2000m). Penza is set to ride Je Zous, a group 3 winner over 1911m in Ireland, from gate nine of 11. The four-year-old mare finished well back on debut in Australia over 1300m at Randwick on June 7 but finds a far more suitable distance on Saturday.
“I like Je Zous, she’s a decent horse, and she will get through to some nice races,” Waller said.
“I was disappointed to see her draw there, because I thought she might be a genuine winning chance. I’m not saying she can’t win, but it’s just a little bit harder from that draw.
“I’m not too worried about the jump in distance. I’ve got some targets in mind for her, but I want her to do the talking first. She’s still young and relatively unfurnished.”
Age Of Kings, the Jersey Stakes (1408m) winner at Royal Ascot two years ago, will be tested over more ground after failing to fire in Australia. Reece Jones has the ride.
“He’s taken a long time to adjust,” Waller said.
“He got quite keen as a colt and we made the mistake of thinking he was a Golden Eagle horse, and we tried to make him sprint. But we’ve finally got him to relax, and this is by far the furthest he’s raced over. I think he’ll run well.”
Penza’s other rides are Maori Chief ($15), Changing Colours ($5), Vanessi ($13), Speycaster ($7) and Lenape Vibe ($46). Changing Colours, in the fourth, has placed in all four starts this preparation in Victoria.
“He looks a handy enough on-speed horse, so it will be interesting to see what he does,” Penza said.
“Maori Chief made a fair run last time when fourth, finishing off at the end. I trialled Vanessi at Warwick Farm on the synthetic, and it trialled really well. She raced the other day and ran third, so now she’s got some race fitness under her belt, she should run well.”
