Remi Gray saddles up as Clerk of the Course

In December, the 17-year-old finally realised her dream to saddle up alongside him in an official capacity when she stepped out in the role of Cadet Clerk of the Course for the Pyrenees Christmas Races at Avoca.

The event at Avoca Shire Turf Club was the first of four race meetings the young horsewoman worked at during her first month in the job, with the Marian College student also taking up the reins in a cadet capacity at the race meeting at Stawell on Saturday, December 13, at Horsham on Sunday, December 21 and Nhill on Friday, December 26.

Gray's official employment as Cadet Clerk of the Course by Racing Victoria means she becomes the third Clerk of the Course in the Ararat region and just the seventh female working in the role across Victoria.

In the lead up to Avoca's meeting, she had the opportunity to get a feel for the role during the Brookfield Multiplex Ararat Gold Cup day in November.

"Dad's been working as a Clerk of the Course for the past 15 years and I go to the track with him every time he's working," Gray said.

"A couple of years ago I decided that instead of sitting back and watching I would like to have a go at it myself and I was thrilled when Racing Victoria allowed me do some trial shifts and then offered me an official cadet role so that I can further develop my skills.

"I've ridden my whole life and I have grown up around thoroughbreds so working with them to ensure a race meeting runs smoothly is not like a job to me It's really good fun.

"Dad looks out for me and provides me plenty of tips and the jockeys have all been really encouraging."

Among the many duties of a Clerk of the Course, one of the main jobs is to maintain order among the runners before and after the race and to respond to any emergencies. Clerks have to be cool, daring and accomplished riders.

Also a skilled polocrosse player, Gray's passion for riding runs in the family with her mum, Andrea, president of the Beaufort and District Pony Club and her 14-year-old brother Bede keen to take up the reins as Clerk of the Course in the near future.

Gray said her family also provides a home for 15 off-the-track thoroughbreds.

"I've got three beautiful off-the -rack greys which I ride when I'm working, Billy (Spurling), Flaming Mo and Porky (Cartoon)," she said.

"We're always on the lookout for retired racehorses which we re-train and partner for pony club, polocrosse or Clerk of the Course work.

"Dad picks them out at the races and if he thinks they have the attributes to go on to a certain post-racing career then he speaks to the horse's trainer and asks if we can take them once they've retired.

"The trainers are always happy to see them go to a good home and second career once their racing days are over."

Racing Victoria raceday services manager, Carl Hufer said Gray's appointment as a Cadet Clerk of the Course was testament to her skill and dedication to the role.

"Racing provides a broad range of career options and it's great to be able to give Remi the opportunity to pursue her passion for horses and develop her skills as a Cadet Clerk of the Course," he said.

- with Racing Victoria