3 minute read

A lot of jobs require employees to take work home with them, but there aren’t many where that involves managing a 500kg animal.

Apprentice jockey Catherine Van Munster is the latest addition to Tasmania's riding ranks having made her debut on 21 May in Devonport.

Tasmanian racing followers are slowly becoming accustomed to Van Muster's riding skills on the track, however her care for horses extends much further than what happens on race day.

"I've had about 15 retired horses that I've brought home and found homes for," said Van Munster.

"My place isn't huge, so I've been pretty lucky that I've had friends that have let me keep horses at their place. It's not really something that I'm setup to do but I just really wanted to do it," laughed the apprentice.

"I have five horses at the moment I'm looking after, including three that have just retired. It's certainly keeping me busy now I'm also riding in races."

After honing her skills in trials for just under 12 months, Van Munster didn't take long to notch her first winner, partnering the John Luttrell-trained Steel Mist to victory in Hobart on 11 June.

"It was a really special win for me because that horse (Steel Mist) is my favourite horse in the stable, but when he first arrived from the mainland, he had so many problems.

"He's such a quirky horse and once I got to know him, I loved him, so it was special that he was my first winner."

Van Munster will be hoping that her second career winner arrives in Hobart this Sunday where she has three rides on the eight-race program.

Van Munster has two rides for Brighton trainer Terry Evans, Etosha (race 5) and Hellova Night (race 7). Both horses generally settle on-pace which should suit the 4kg claiming apprentice.

"I ride the two of them in trackwork. They're both really talented horses and I'm grateful to Terry for giving me the ride on them.

"Hellova Night has barrier 1 which is a nice spot for us to be I think, and he probably has never raced with such a light weight on his back (50kg)."

The third of Van Munster's rides will be for her master John Luttrell aboard the resuming Maarkle in the fillies & mares BM64 handicap.

"She's another one that's a bit quirky, nobody else really rides her. It's always a benefit riding on race day when you're familiar with the horse."