Local Jockey Izzy Neale is hoping to upset some of bigger names when she goes out to ride on Tooraweenah Cup Day at Gilgandra Saturday 7 February.

Apprentice to top line Western Plains trainer Brett Robb she adores the Gilgandra track.

‘’I love Gilgandra and the tight turning track, every horse has a chance here.’’

Fresh from achieving her 50th career win on Wasted Days at Parkes for her boss Brett Robb, Neale said while it’s been a long road reaching that milestone is something she’s proud of and can build from.

“I’m so glad that I did it that way,’’ Neale said of starting out as a picnic rider.

“It opened my eyes to what it’s all about without having all the cameras, I was able to learn without any eyes on me really.

“Now to reach 50 it’s a huge milestone, I was glad to tick that one off.

"The ball’s rolling now and hopefully it can continue and the winners keep coming.

“Hopefully by the end of the year I can outride my country claim and see if I can try my luck in the provincial ranks.

“I’ve seen the success all of the girls that have gone to those ranks lately, it’s definitely inspiring.”

Neale, who grew up in Merriwa, didn’t initially start out to be a jockey.

She left school at 16 and started working at horse studs and it was after working with yearlings at Evergreen Stud Farm she moved into the pre-training operation and got a preview of what could be.

Horse riding is in her background, with camp drafting and barrel racing and the like, but not horse racing.

Her first ride was at Condoblin and it turned her passion into being a full time jockey.

She embraced the change. ''It spurred me on to better things.''

 Izzy will ride Pampuni in the Toraweenah Cup the 6 year old mare loves her home track and has Gilgranda trainer Keiran Hazelton mentoring and the galloper was placed here three starts ago.

Officials are encouraging fans to come out in force at Gilgandra. 

‘’Saturday promises all the excitement of a classic country race day, while also raising vital funds to support local mum Jessica Tink (30yrs) and her family," said Secretary Guy McAnally-Elwin

"A live auction with numerous items and packages auctioned throughout the day will be held with all proceeds going towards primarily assisting in acquiring a pre-modified wheelchair accessible vehicle.  

"Wiradjuri Rabbs celebrity phantom racecaller will be on course with a few surprises over the day!

‘’Pack the swimmers! A waterslide will be ready to go for the kids.

"Dusty Boots on Parade are bringing their tunes to the turf."

31 degrees is predicted with overcast weather.