Fairy-tale finish for Woolamai jockey

HIGHLY successful picnic racing jockey, Grant Seccombe of Moe, hung up his saddle in the most emphatic way possible at Woolamai last Saturday when he booted home his last-ever ride, the Troy Kilgower trained Elly Dee, to win the final race on the card.

After almost 13 years on the picnic circuit, travelling to places as far-flung as Alexandra, Healesville, Mansfield, Merton, Yea, Drouin, Buchan and Omeo; claiming 10 picnic cups along the way, including two at Woolamai, he’s called it a day as a new career beckons.

But it was by no means a sure thing that he’d finish with a flourish.

After a third, a ninth, a fourth and two scratchings from the first five races at Woolamai, his prediction at the start of the day, that he wasn’t hopeful of finishing on a high note, looked likely to eventuate.

His hopes were pinned in the last on the previously unlucky Elly Dee, who despite placing eight times from 11 starts, appeared to have a phobia about finishing first, with just one win to her credit, way back in May 2023.

But Grant left nothing to chance, or to irrational fear for that matter, as he booted the $5.50 chance home by almost four lengths.

It was the perfect finish to a decorated, but more importantly, thoroughly enjoyable career, especially securing the win for his best training supporter Troy Kilgower.

“I’m only 33 but I’ve been riding at the picnics for almost 13 years, clocking up 190 winners and it’s time for a new career,” said Grant earlier in the day.

“I did my apprenticeship with Jim Hyland before moving to Doug Harrison before going on the picnic circuit, riding at all of them I’d say, with 10 cups including two here at Woolamai. Actually, I won my first one here which was pretty special.

“The best thing would be the friendships I’ve made. It’s very much a family environment and the volunteers running the clubs are fantastic too. Loved every minute of it,” he said on Saturday.

And all the better for retiring on a winning note… best bet of the day in hindsight!