SMYTH RIDES “PROGRAM” AT TUNCURRY

LIBERTY Smyth can lay claim to ‘riding the program” in just over three months of beginning her career as a jockey.

The Gladstone born Central Queensland native, now indentured to Newcastle trainer Nathan Doyle, won the first two races run at Tuncurry yesterday – and, as the saying goes, that was all she wrote.

The remainder of the six-race TAB meeting was abandoned as a result of deteriorating track conditions.

Tuncurry was downgraded early yesterday morning from a ‘Soft 6’ to a ‘Soft 7’ and then to a ‘Heavy 10” before the first race.

Smyth won both races run on leading Newcastle trainer Kris Lees’ pair Dancingontherosso and, rather ironically, It’s Not Over.

Debutante Dancingontherosso won the Maiden Handicap (1205m) as a $2.40 favorite, and the Maiden Plate (1505m) on $9 chance It’s Not Over, who was resuming from a lengthy spell and having only her third start.

It wasn’t the first time Smyth, who is being managed by former top jockey Sam Clenton, had ridden a double either so early in her brief time in the saddle.

Only a week earlier she had sone so at Port Macquarie, scoring on Posh Annie and Blue Dane for respective Wyong trainers Mark Howard and Shaun Harvey.

Yesterday’s double meant Smyth has ridden four winners from her last six rides, and her career tally stands at 12.

Smyth was on the road to Mudgee this morning (where later she just missed winner number 13 when edged out on another Wyong trainer Damien Lane’s $3.60 favorite Singing Star) when ProvincialRacingNSW chatted with her.

Whilst her first ride was Lees’ Antilopini (fourth at Coffs Harbour on December 27 last year) and her first winner (Doyle’s Dwayne at Coffs Harbour on January 6) came at only her sixth ride, Smyth is no rookie when it comes to horses.

She comes from a racing family, her father Kerrod trains a small team at Rockhampton, and was around horses from three years of age.

“I did pony club and then show jumping, and after high school went overseas with an international equestrian team,” Smyth said.

“But the horses took a back seat when I went to Uni and then got a bank job with NAB.

“I didn’t ride a horse for five or six years.”

However, the urge to ride again was strong, and she began riding work in Queensland and in barrier trials before relocating to Newcastle and joining Doyle’s stable last year.

“I had to start all over again, and rode in 25-30 trials here before being licensed to ride in New South Wales,” she said.

“I’m really enjoying it, and lost my 4kg claim after five winners.

“I still have another eight winners before my 3kg claim reduces further.”

Smyth’s stablemate, fellow apprentice Shannen Llewellyn, is making every post a winner.

She rode a double at Wyong yesterday, scoring on Gosford trainer Jake Hull’s Dingle Grey and Doyle’s Turning Circle to boost her career tally to 124.

STORY JOHN CURTIS, APRIL 5, 2026