Rutledge starts Australian adventure Siobhan Rutledge is the latest Irish jockey to try her luck 'down under' after heading to Australia earlier this week. The Meath jockey rode nine winners this year in Ireland, having had her best tally back in 2021 with 21 victories. Trainer John McConnell has been her biggest supporter in recent years and he revealed, after the victory of Hasiyna, at Dundalk on Wednesday:- "She headed to Australia on Monday. "I was talking to her this morning. I think she has probably just gone into work now at 3am! "The win (with Hasiyna) is tinged with a bit of sadness that she is not here to ride it because she has done a lot of work on her. "She was the one who kept saying to drop her back and she was right. "It is a great opportunity to go over there and ride, she is working for Chris Munce in Brisbane. "Provisionally, she is there until March and if it goes really well, she might stay. If not, we will gladly have her back. "Obviously, I need someone to take her place for the moment anyway and Jamie (Powell) is light. Donagh O'Connor rides a good bit for us, but he is obviously restricted weight-wise. "Jamie is going to ride a bit, he is going to come in once a week, so it is nice to start the association (with Hasiyna). "He doesn't ride like an apprentice. Obviously, this year has been more of a struggle for him, but he can certainly ride. It is great to have him." (Michael Graham)
