Olivia Chambers heads to Goulburn on Tuesday with an enticing book of four rides and the young apprentice says she’s relishing the raceday competition that a career in the saddle offers.
"It's very rewarding but also challenging working with the horses and being able to see them develop from yearlings. The thrill is the compelling part," Olivia Chambers said.
Apprenticed to Robert and Luke Price at Kembla Grange, Chambers could easily have been studying university books not riding tactics.
Whilst COVID was a halt for many in the community it proved a 'halter' opportunity for Chambers.
"I started working as a stablehand when I finished my HSC and started riding trackwork when COVID hit.
"Once I started working with thoroughbreds, university was off the table," said Chambers.
Chambers grew up in the Southern Highlands with the company of horses a staple.
"I've had horses my whole life and show jumped competitively until I started my apprenticeship."
The transition from show jumping to race riding is well and truly underway these days with Chambers mindful of the support she's had in a super competitive racing environment.
"Rob and Luke have been great right from the start but also Matt Dale over the last twelve months has given me some great opportunities including my first ride in town."
Chambers is bobbing up all over the place of late, think four venues in the last four days with Goulburn coming on the end of a Hawkesbury, Canberra, Orange triple header.
At Goulburn on Tuesday Chambers will get four good looks across the eight-race card. The most exciting of these could be Miss Scoop ($2.80 favourite on TAB) for Matt Dale in the quaddie closer, The Semco Country Boosted Class 1 Hcp over 1200m.
The daughter of Press Statement looked a real early learner when winning on debut at Nowra courtesy of a positive Chambers ride. That form has been franked with the third horse Straight Fire winning next start.
"She was very impressive at her first start just racing a little green, she should have come on from that race experience and very happy to stick with her," Chambers enthused.
The Chambers-Dale combination will also go to work on Stromness ($3 fav) in Race 2, The Superior Turf Country Boosted Maiden Hcp over 1200m, the young hoop keen to build on what was a promising top three debut result at Wagga.
"She put in a very brave run first-up and will take improvement from that, so excited to see what she does."
Chambers will also look to get the dancing shoes on early and go back-to-back with last start Mudgee winner Just Boogie ($3.20 fav - Steven Wilson), a genuine chance over a staying trip in Goulburn's opener.
"He put in a super run last start and fought on really strong to the line so I'm not worried about the step up in distance, I think he'll go on with it."
Chambers is also bullish about improvement from the consistent Discreet Miss ($10) who's coming off a first-up Nowra hit out for Michelle Ritchie in Race 7, the Abernethy Gore Solicitors B66 Hcp over 1300m.
"Will love to see her back on top of the ground, she didn't handle the wet track the other day, so she should bounce back well from that and hopefully put in a strong run."
Goulburn is also counting down to its Southern Wildcard Country Championships Raceday on Sunday 24th March with the final qualifying spot in the $1m Newhaven Park Country Championships Final at Royal Randwick up for grabs.
Goulburn Good Oil
Race 2 - No.5 Stromness ($3)
Race 4 - No.1 Big Shooter ($6)
Race 6 - No.1 Ohtani ($9)
