Both exotic and heartwarming, Nautical Miss's triumph is on full show

Gwenda Markwell, a Gr.1-winning trainer who lost her fight with cancer over the weekend, had a Gr.1-winning stable represented by the mare Nautical Miss, who won at Randwick. Alysha Collett, a former New Zealand jockey, dedicated her win in the Midway Handicap to the memory of her late trainer.

“This is the most fitting thing for Gwenda to win this race, much respect to everyone that knows her, and to her. I’m really thankful to Gwenda because when I first got here, I struggled to get rides at the provincials and Kembla  Grange, and she put me on the triallers, she gave me an opportunity.” Said Collett.

Collett rode Nautical Miss expertly to victory by a length against Reginald, with One more Sapphire in third. The jockey completed an early double for Bryce Heys when she rode to victory on Key Largo in the second race.