Great Scott - Edgy Pollard Riding Higher After A Double

10 July 2000

It has been a big week for apprentice Scott Pollard...and it isn't over yet.

``I'm a bit on edge, my wife is expecting our second child any day now," Pollard said at Canterbury yesterday.

Last Wednesday, Pollard, 27, rode his first metropolitan winner when guiding Maria River Lad to victory at Canterbury.

And yesterday, Pollard carried on in winning vein with a double on The Vagrant (16-1) in the K.J. Burton & Co Handicap, reserved for apprentice riders, and Storm Princess (9-2) in the Newtown Jets Handicap.

``Not bad for an old bloke," he said of his victory over the younger apprentices.

Pollard has been riding for a little more than two years after walking off the street into the stables of Berry-based trainer Kevin Robinson, looking for an opportunity.

``I had never ridden a horse before going to Kevin," he said. ``I had always liked them but never ridden one.

``But I thought I am the right size for it, so I'll give it a go.

``I fronted up to Kevin and said I wanted to be a jockey. He told me `I think you are kidding yourself but I'm willing to give you a shot'.

``He has been a great boss. I owe him a lot."

While most apprentices are bitten by the racing bug at an early age, Pollard had never contemplated life as a jockey while growing up.

After leaving school at 16, Pollard enlisted with the Royal Australian Navy, where he spent four years. After the navy, he became a roof tiler, working alongside his stepfather, John Monaghan, for another four years.

``When I was 24 I broke my leg pretty bad playing soccer one weekend," Pollard said. ``I was out for about six months. It gave me time to think what I wanted to achieve in life.

``I decided I wanted to be a jockey, that's when I went to see Kevin."

Being a novice to race riding, Pollard kept his day job of roof tiling, while heading to Robinson's stables in the mornings.

``It made for a pretty long day," he said. ``I kept it up for about three or four months then decided to go full-time riding.

``I love it. Best job in the world."

Pollard, who took his tally of wins to 44 yesterday, is quick to praise fellow riders, including Robinson's son-in-law Justin Sheehan and Grant Buckley, for pointing him in the right direction and helping him finetune his craft.

``Grant and Justin especially have really helped me out," he said. ``They give me tips on how I can improve or what I am doing wrong in races. They have been very generous with their time.

``I know there is still plenty to learn, but riding winners in town means I'm heading in the right direction, I suppose."

Pollard has two years of his apprenticeship with Robinson remaining and is excited about the future, on and off the track.

``My wife Fiona and two-and-half-year-old son Brendan are fully supportive of me being a jockey," he said.

``She doesn't really like the hours I'm away, travelling and so forth but that's the nature of being a jockey.

``Being 27, my weight isn't going to fluctuate like it does for some apprentices when they come out of their time. In that regard I am lucky. I can ride comfortably at 49kg and I'm committed to making this my career.

``Now I'm riding a bit more in town, trainers are beginning to know me and how I can ride. It really builds your confidence.

``Realistically, I know in time if I want to go to that next level I will have to move to the city, but for now I am happy in Berry."

And with a baby on the way life couldn't be better.

*Breeder Grahame Mapp has nominated for the vacancy on the AJC committee following the recent resignation of Jack Ingham.


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