Gai Waterhouse shows faith in leading Adelaide apprentice Rochelle Milnes for Group 1 Australasian Oaks assault with Phenom

News.com.au

25-04-2025

Adelaide's star apprentice Rochelle Milnes prefers to let her riding do the talking, and her riding has caught the attention of racing's first lady, Gai Waterhouse.
Milnes, 23, will pilot the aptly named Phenom in Saturday's $1m Australasian Oaks at Morphettville, a Zoustar filly trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.
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It's the biggest race of Milnes' fledgling career, but her daring Adelaide Cup win aboard Silent Surrente in March, proved she has right temperament for the elite stage.
'I think you could call it the next challenge, whether or not I feel as prepared as I could be, is another thing,' Milnes, who grew up in Port Lincoln, said.
'I guess that's how my career has always been, kind of jumping in before I felt ready and taking on the challenge as it comes.'
It's an approach that has served Milnes effectively, she won the Dux of the Racing SA Apprentice Academy in January, and leads the Adelaide jockeys' premiership with 37 wins.
Milnes is unearthing herself as latest female prodigy to emerge from South Australia, and riding in her first Group 1 for 'Gai', the doyenne of racing, is an opportunity that isn't lost on Milnes.
'It's definitely a privilege, to have someone of Gai's status and respectability in the game have faith in me,' she said.
'Especially being an apprentice, that's something I go on about a lot, not only is it a great opportunity as a jockey, but as an apprentice jockey, it's even more special to me.
'It is a Group 1, and even though she's had plenty of Group 1 success, every (Group 1) is important – to be a part of that is pretty special.'
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Milnes has been given the brief by Waterhouse, who saddles up two runners in the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m), Phenom ($27 Sportsbet) and Too Darn Lizzie ($4.80).
'I've spoken to Gai a few times now, I've been riding her horses trackwork,' she said.
'I was up against her in the Adelaide Cup, and now I get to ride for her, so that's pretty cool. She makes me want to be better, she's not afraid to tell you what you're doing right or wrong, she's very well spoken, very well-mannered.
'Everyone knows that she's very flamboyant, she's a real character but a lovely, lovely lady and giving me an opportunity like this, it's very cool to be a part of.'
An Adelaide Cup win was naturally good for self belief, but Milnes has maintained a level head throughout her achievements.
'I guess it's given me confidence in myself, but that never takes away from the challenges you face, there's plenty of room for improvement,' she said.
Milnes got the better of star jockey Jamie Melham on the day, another South Australian, who finished second aboard Newfoundland.
The pair meet again on Saturday with Melham piloting equal third favourite, Polymnia, for John O'Shea and Tom Charlton.
Milnes holds a fond recollection of what Melham said to her after the Adelaide Cup.
'She definitely said some things I'm not allowed to say,' Milnes said.
'They were used in a good way, she's a really good sport, it came across in a very friendly, personal manner – we had a laugh after.
'I think that made it even sweeter. She's had lots of success herself, she could look at it and relate, she knew what it would mean to me, I had a lot of respect for her from that.'
Milnes piloted Phenom to third last start in the Group 3 Auraria Stakes (1800m), and the hoop has been pleased with the filly's trackwork since. 
'She's another class of horse that I've never ridden before,' she said.
'That last start, she was a little flat-footed mid-race but she stormed home really good, she picked up really nicely under riding and finished off so strong.
'Her work since then has given me nothing but confidence in her, she's quite a fizzy little mare, it would be nice to see her settle in her run and finish off strong like she did in the last race.
'It's been nice getting to know her not on race day, seeing a little personality and having that rapport with the horse.'