Hunt eyes metro races after Sydney return

Moving back to Sydney is the best move apprentice jockey Rachel Hunt says she’s made, with more chances to compete at metropolitan meetings.

She returned to Sydney about six months ago to join with trainer Mark de Monfort at Warwick Farm and has eased into her new schedule.

“It’s the best move I’ve made,” Hunt told AAP.

“I thought it would take a lot longer to get a roll on things and get rides but it actually came quite quickly.”

Hunt, who claimed three kilograms, has three rides at Rosehill on Saturday, beginning with the John Sargent-trained Paragon in the Luna Park Handicap (1800m).

The six-year-old gelding finished second by a long neck in his last run over 1200m at Randwick on November 16.

Hunt will then be aboard Lasting Shadow, a four-year-old mare trained by Joe Cleary at Queanbeyan, in the horse’s first metropolitan race.

Lasting Shadow is one of 11 acceptors in the TAB Highway Handicap (1500m).

Banner error, could not find casino id "william-hill-sport"

Hunt rode the mare twice last month at Queanbeyan over 1460m, finishing a close second before Lasting Shadow broke her maiden on October 29.

Hunt’s third ride on Saturday is on the Stephen Gleeson-trained gelding Don’t Tease Me, in the Goldners Horse Transport Handicap (1100m).

The six-year-old finished second in his most recent race, a 900m sprint at Muswellbrook on November 7.

Hunt praises her “amazing” boss Mark de Monfort, who became head jockey coach for apprentices and riders at Racing NSW in October, for helping to raise her profile.

“He’s taught me so much and helped me improve my riding,” she said.

The jockey has fond memories of her stint in Canberra with Keith Dryden, but says she always had her sights set on being good enough to ride back in Sydney.

If there’s one thing she won’t miss it’s the cold winter starts in the nation’s capital.

“Can’t say I really enjoyed the weather,” she said.