Racing: Taking one step at a time

A trainer on a walking stick and the only apprentice jockey in the world who is a qualified builder hope that together they can add riches to the rags to respect story of Seachange in the $275,000 One Thousand Guineas at Riccarton Park tomorrow.

Eighteen months ago the little Cape Cross filly was a problem child for The Oaks Stud, wandering the Waikato hills with front legs which would attract only scorn in the sale ring.

Stud manager Rick Williams turned to Cambridge trainer Ralph Manning to educate the filly.

Neither would have been surprised if she did not stand training. Both were amazed at what happened next.

"She just took every step as it came. She had a jumpout and won it. She had a trial and won it. She's gone to the races three times and won them all," said Manning.

As a result her Brisbane-based rider, Gavin McKeown, who won 11 races on a four-week exchange visit to New Zealand, vowed he would make a special trip back from Queensland to ride the filly at Riccarton.

"He thinks the world of her," Manning said.

"He is an apprentice but he's 26. He's tall and when he wanted to be an apprentice when he was young they said he would end up too big.

"So he did an apprenticeship in the building trade while still riding out and then when he was still light he started his racing apprenticeship."

The trainer's reliance on a walking stick is temporary as he recently had a hip replaced following a bad fracture of a leg which took a year to recover and its toll on other parts of the body.

But Seachange has not let any potential leg problems bother her.

"I thought she would have problems. But as I said to Rick after she galloped a few times she picks them up and puts them down in the right places so just don't look."

Although doubters point to the fact Seachange has not yet run on a firm track, Manning does not see that as a problem.

"Gavin has said all along she doesn't really handle softer ground and would be better on top of it."

A chunk of Seachange's ability can be put down to her temperament.

"Nothing worries her. She just takes the step up," Manning said.

Tomorrow is by far the biggest step up.