A new partnership is hoping to make its mark on Tasmanian racing with successful owners Rick and Tina Polley teaming up with trainer/jockey Rhonda Mangan.
Mangan who served her apprenticeship with David Brunton, has recently moved back from Victoria to take up the role on Polley’s property at Sorell.
“Rick’s son-in-law got hold of me on Facebook and asked me to give Rick a call, I rode a few winners for Rick, so I rang and he asked if I was interested in moving over to train for him,” Mangan said. “It’s a great opportunity so we jumped at the chance.”
“Rick’s an owner/breeder and we’ve got about 12 horses in work at the moment, hopefully we’ll have our first runner at the next Hobart meeting on September 10.”
Mangan holds a dual licence allowing her to train and ride. “I did it at the Picnics in Victoria about 20 years ago and won the trainers premiership. I love it when I can train and ride.”
“I did have an open training licence in Victoria a few years back and had some nice winners, Terouge won four city races and was placed at Listed level, Datari was another good horse too.”
Helping Mangan will be her long time partner, fellow jockey Grant Challinger. “It’s great, we can do all the work ourselves, Grant has had a rough trot, he was diagnosed with a brain tumour last year, but he’s had it removed and had his first ride back at the Hobart trials on Tuesday.”
Polley is no stranger to success on the race track with his orange and white colours often seen in the winners circle, his most noted horse is Hobart and Launceston Cup winner Up Cups (pictured).