Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Sydney’s champion apprentice in the 2002/03 season, Stewart went on to ride successfully in Singapore, Mauritius and Macau. Now based in Queensland, the 37-year-old went back to Randwick on Saturday and guided Selino (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}) to victory in the Schweppes Sydney Cup.
“I’ve done a lot of riding here as a kid, then went overseas,” Stewart said. “I’ve never really thought about coming back here, but I got a phone call from Richie Callander – he used to help us out a bit in my apprentice days, and he put my name forward to do some work for Chris Waller in Queensland. Luckily, I can ride light and I picked up this ride.”
He played his role to perfection in Saturday’s $2 million staying test, moving forward from midfield and swooping around the outside to hit the lead at the top of the straight.
Kiwi-bred mares Rondinella (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) and Miami Bound (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) chased hard over the last 300 metres, but Selino had plenty up his sleeve and held them out by 1.25l.
“He was a tough ride, but it kept unfolding nicely for us,” Stewart said. “It certainly wasn’t easy, he was quite strong throughout, but I could see in his replays that he has done that in the past. But when I pulled out down the side with about 1000 metres to go, I still had plenty of horse there. I thought, ‘Okay, we have no weight on our back – catch me if you can.’
"When I pulled out down the side with about 1000 metres to go, I still had plenty of horse there. I thought, ‘Okay, we have no weight on our back – catch me if you can'." - Ron Stewart
“Knowing Randwick really well, I was a bit concerned that I had got going a little bit early, especially sliding up that rise, but I had so much horse under me with the light load. I wouldn’t say I held my breath, but I was yelling as loud as I could, and at the end of the day we got the job done.”
Fourth Cup for Waller
Selino became the fourth Sydney Cup winner for Waller, following on from Grand Marshal (GB) (Dansili {GB}) in 2015, Who Shot Thebarman (NZ) (Yamanin Vital {NZ}) in 2018 and Shraaoh (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in 2019.
Now carrying the colours of OTI Racing, Selino began his career with two wins in England, and he also finished second in the G2 Doncaster Cup last September.
The 5-year-old gelding made his debut for Waller with an eighth in the G2 Moonee Valley Cup in October, followed by an eighth in the Listed Parramatta Cup, sixth in the Listed Randwick City Cup, fifth in the G3 Manion Cup and a fourth in last Saturday’s G2 Chairman’s Quality.
“We had confidence in the horse,” Waller said. “He was sent to me in very good form. The owners might’ve lost a bit of confidence in me when they saw him going around and running in 2000 metre races and 2600 metre races, but we’ve said all along, ‘Stick to the confidence of running in this race.’ He’s an extreme-distance horse, and he certainly showed it today.”
Waller was pleased to give Saturday’s Cup opportunity to Stewart, who began his career at around the same time as the Champion trainer.
“I remember Ronnie was an apprentice here in Sydney, I was cutting my teeth the same time as him,” Waller said. “I was rapt to give him the opportunity – a natural lightweight rider, he works hard. He’s ridden overseas in Singapore successfully and he was the right man for the job.
“The owners questioned me on who he was and things like that, and I said, ‘Well, he was an apprentice here in Sydney – don’t worry.’ He’s ridden successfully in Singapore, he’s riding well in Queensland. He’s a fit jockey, and I see he’s got his helicopter’s licence, so he must have a few brains.”
