Champion New Zealand jockey Lisa Allpress to ride in Australia for first time in 12 years at Sandown

The opening of a travel bubble between New Zealand and Australia has paved the way for four-time champion jockey Lisa Allpress to head to Melbourne on a hit-and run mission on May 1.

Allpress will head across the Tasman to ride Kiwi Group 3 winner Aimee’s Jewel at her Australian debut, which will be the jockey’s first ride in Australia since the 2009 Brisbane Cup.

Allpress rode Aimee’s Jewel three wins for the mare’s previous trainer Trudy Keegan in New Zealand before connections sent the four-year-old to the Charles Cassar stable at Kyneton.

“She‘s a mare that has shown plenty of promise and she was able to pick up that Group Three race at Riccarton,” Allpress told the New Zealand Racing Desk.

Kyneton trainer Charles Cassar now trains New Zealand Group 3 winner Aimee’s Jewel. Picture: Racing PhotosSource:Getty Images

“It will be great to carry on my association with her in Australia and I‘m looking forward to the change in scenery.

“When the trans-Tasman bubble opened up and her race was going to fit in, he was straight on the phone to offer me the ride. I‘m really looking forward to getting over there and riding her again.”

While Group 1 racing in Adelaide is likely to attract local star Jamie Kah, Allpress will give the Melbourne jockeys’ room plenty of strong competition.

Allpress made history as the first woman to ride a winner in Saudi Arabia last year while she has also won races in Japan, Singapore and Malaysia.

Originally published asStar Kiwi jockey returns for Melbourne mission

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