RADECKER RULES OK

Mandy Radecker is the flavour of the month in Queensland racing – and rightly so.

Some might think the hype is all about winning the Brisbane Metropolitan Apprentice Championship, about creating history as the first female rider to win that coveted title, but, as important as those two achievements are, the return that Radecker has achieved this season goes far beyond the numbers game of who has ridden the most winners.

It is more about effort and reward, about dedication and ambition, about teamwork and loyalty. In essence, it is Radecker’s professional approach to every aspect of her career that has earned her the respect of her peers and has seen her emerge as the big winner.

Guided throughout, in good times and bad, by the deft touch of master-trainer Pat Duff, Radecker is fortunate to be blessed with both the intelligence to recognise and take on board wise council and the talent to apply what she has learned in combat conditions. That is such an obvious recipe for success, yet it eludes so many. It is often a prime factor in separating champions from also-rans.

Radecker suffered severe injuries in a fall last April. The physical challenge she faced then was substantial, as was the mental agony of coping with a costly time out of action which saw her ambition of landing the Apprentice Championship for that year left in ruins.

Such was Radecker’s commitment to her fightback against adversity, she returned to the saddle in a far quicker timeframe than any had anticipated, with her ambition still burning brightly. A new season beckoned with a new opportunity.

When a run-in with the stewards threatened to derail her efforts earlier in the year, Radecker took on that challenge as well – and won, to keep her title challenge on track and her integrity intact.

Then there was the final chase to the line to overhaul fellow-rider Michael Palmer.

The focussed dedication and impressive all-around work ethic that had become associated with Radecker’s name was about to pay dividends. Teamwork and loyalty now proved to be a formidable force as the Pat Duff stable, from trainer to owners, rallied behind the cause until, in the end, the Radecker-Palmer showdown became an unequal battle with Radecker easily reeling in and racing away from her rival at the finish.

An ambition had been realised. There will be new playing fields to conquer.

There will always be those who highlight the gender aspect of this seasons Apprentice Championship. I prefer only to mention it in passing.

If there are young woman who take inspiration out of that distinction than that story angle does have some benefit.

If Radecker’s achievement does cause even a small percentage of owners and trainers to re-think their use of lady riders in a positive sense, then Radecker has helped forge a further breakthrough for female riders, as did those who went before her.

I’d prefer to just say congratulations to a very good race rider.