There was no tossing the coin when trainer, Daryl Archard, offered Brooke Sweeney the option of riding Leveraction at Flemington, or Make Mine Brandy at Swan Hill.

It wasn’t really a difficult choice; although she had ridden both horses at their previous wins at Echuca, she had no hesitation in booking herself for Leveraction at Flemington.

She certainly pulled the right rein, however, the trainer, Daryl Archard, didn’t, he was among the walking wounded after a serious escapade that saw him spend three days in hospital during the week, the culprit being Leveraction.

All was forgiven after the gelding led from barrier to box, whilst he was beginning to shorten stride it the straight he did all the hard yards, it was a deserving win and ridden to perfection by Brooke Sweeney.

Brooke Sweeney - A promising apprentice

She is a very capable young rider with a definite future, with light hands, that soft touch that George Moore would have been envious of, she could just about ride before she walked.

The Sweeney’s need no introduction to racing, among the best known racing families in the Riverina, her grandfather, Lionel, trained, her uncle, Ken, rode successfully and trained hundreds of winners before moving to Adelaide, the remainder of the family are still in Jerilderie, after a successful career in the saddle Phillip is now training, his wife rode under the name of Irene Noble.

While two daughters now riding, Brooke and Sally, the name of Sweeney is assured of being  around for another generation.

Leveraction winning the Ken Cox Handicap