Rio Burnett gets MRA licence

PENANG,  24 June 2005

Formerly Perth based Malaysian jockey Rio Burnett has been granted a MRA Jockey Licence for the remainder of the 2005 season.

Also granted a senior licence is apprentice Cheng Ke Ten.

Subjecting to him passing a medical, Burnett will began his tenure as a local jockey from the forthcoming Penang meeting beginning next Saturday.

It was in Penang in January this year that Burnett made Malaysia debut and he quickly made his mark with a winner each in his first two days. He has added two more winners since in several stints as a visiting jockey.

Rio's father Malcolm is one the best jockeys Sarawak ever produced, but he never got the chance to prove his ability in West Malaysia.

Malcolm later emigrated to Perth and rode in both city and country tracks there before becoming a trainer.

Rio commenced his apprentice jockey training with the Western Australian Turf Club on March 7, 2001 and over the past three years he has shown great dedication to his training and profession.

Rio received his permit to ride in races on October 5, 2001, and since that time has ridden in 723 races for 47 wins, 56 seconds, 71 thirds, and 74 fourths. He has ridden 10 winners in the metropolitan area and is entitled to claim 3.0kg under the Australian Rules of Racing.

His major wins to date include the listed Boulder Cup (2003) on SPACE AGE, trained by Neville Parnham, and two wins in succession on the highly rated HARTLEYS DREAM, trained by Lindsay Smith (trainer of PLASTERED – 2004 VRC Derby).

Rio was was the recipient of the Special Achievement Award at the annual Apprentice Awards function in 2004. This award is presented to the apprentice who achieves something outstanding during the year.

Rio, described by his father as hard working, diligent and honest, was awarded it for a number of reasons: for a brilliant ride to win a feature race at Kalgoorlie during their carnival; and also for his support and camaraderie for the Malaysian boys who come to Perth for their apprentice jockey training.