FRESH from riding her first-ever double, SA apprentice Lizzie Annells is typically forthright when explaining her decision to accept a stint with Alice Springs trainer Kerry Petrick.
“Not to be a ‘pity party’, but I can confidently say I ride more 100/1 shots than just about anyone,” Lizzie said.
“I got a 150/1 into fifth place the other day, I beat half the field.
“But I’ve ridden 10 winners in a year, they’re looking for riders up there and they seemed pretty keen.
“I’ve already got rides for this Saturday.”
Lizzie was successful on Panagiota (for Darren Magro) and Jaamint (for Garrett Lynch) at Port Augusta yesterday, then jumped in her car this morning for the long drive to Coober Pedy. Tomorrow she will complete the second leg of her journey to Alice Springs and start what is initially a six-week stay with the Petrick stable.
The 23-year-old has been indentured to Gordon Richards and said her eye-catching win on Ice Ghost at Murray Bridge last month – when the striking grey came from a long last to steam home over the top of the field – was the catalyst for the Alice Springs opportunity.
“After I won on Ice Ghost at Murray Bridge I got a phone call (from Alice Springs),” she said.
“Eran Boyd put in a good word for me as well… so it’s all worked out within two weeks.”
Lizzie, who becomes the second SA apprentice to depart for NT in a matter of weeks, after Alice Lindsay moved to Darwin last month, feels Alice Springs’ dirt-track racing – plus the extra riding opportunities – will help her blossom.
“I actually love the dirt, so I think I’ll fit in just fine,” she said.
“I’m a workaholic, so I don’t care where I live, and in Alice Springs they race ride every week.
“For me, it’s not about where I am, or who I go to, it’s just about bulk rides, and at the moment that’s Alice Springs.
“The trainers have said it’s a bit different style up there. They ride a bit looser and a bit more relaxed, but I still want to go up there, look as stylish as I can, and work on my left and right whip.
“Even if I’m not winning, I just want to be consistently competitive and improve.”
Alice Springs’ life could be a culture shock for Lizzie, who is venturing well outside her comfort zone.
“No, I’ve never been to Northern Territory before,” she said.
“Reading about the lifestyle it’s something very different to living in the city. I’ve had about six people say ‘you’ll be warm’, so that’ll be nice.
“All my family’s in Adelaide and my sister’s about to have a baby, so she’s not super impressed I won’t be around, but I think it’ll all be fine.”