A trip south to Ashburton on Thursday paid dividends for apprentice jockey Nichola Yuen, with the Hong Kong national scoring her first win in New Zealand aboard the Terri Rae-trained Spot On Time in the Agraforum Growing Innovation (1200m).

Jumping well from barrier three, Yuen found an early trail behind pacemaker La Bella Nera where they enjoyed an economical passage before peeling off her back around the final turn. Spot On Time entered a duel down the straight with stablemate South Of Houston, but she showed her tenacity when rallying late to score a half neck victory.

The Cambridge-based hoop trekked south for just two rides, both for Rae, and she was delighted to score straight off the bat, while she just missed out on doubling up when runner-up aboard Candycane in the Vernon & Vazey 0800 Truck Parts (1400m).

“I am really happy and am thankful to Terri for the ride,” Yuen said. “It is really special because it was the first time riding at this track and the first time riding for Terri. I have been in New Zealand for a while and to finally get a winner was great.”

Previously based in South Australia, Yuen made the move across the Tasman late last year and she was initially based at Byerley Park in South Auckland before moving south to New Zealand’s thoroughbred capital, Cambridge.

“I was in South Australia for three years and I started my riding career over there,” the 24-year-old rider said. “I was with Richard and Chantelle Jolly and then I moved to Gary and Nichole Searle, and they all gave me a lot of support.”

Indentured to former champion jockey, and New Zealand Equine Academy lead, Leith Innes, Yuen has elected not to align herself with one single stable in particular in New Zealand and is enjoying riding track work on a freelance basis.

“There are a lot of trainers that I can ride track work for (in Cambridge) and I even go to Matamata a couple of days a week,” Yuen said.

“I am freelancing, so I ride for everyone, and I take as many opportunities as I can. Leith is my agent and helps me with my rides.”

Yuen has found it hard to break into New Zealand’s competitive riding ranks over summer, but is hoping to gain more opportunities over the autumn and into the winter months.

“For apprentices, it is quite tough at this time of the year,” she said. “Hopefully I can give it a good go over winter.”