WAGGA apprentice jockey Nick Heywood landed his first city winner at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
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Heywood got the monkey off his back by steering Burradoo ($4.20) to victory in the last race at Warwick Farm’s midweek meeting.
Heywood, 20, has spent the last three months with Peter and Paul Snowden at Randwick and was relieved to snare his first city win.
“It was just like winning a normal race but if anything, mentally, it makes it easier now,” Heywood said.
“It had been a little bit frustrating running a few seconds.
“Getting a few seconds, you go over every little thing in a race and wonder if there is anything you could have done that would helped get a win.
“I think it will make it easier for me to ride in town now I’ve got my first one out of the way.”
With a city win under his belt, Heywood’s next goal is to outride his provincial claim.
He has 26 provincial wins to his name, so has 54 to go.
“I wouldn’t mind losing my provincial claim, even though I’ve still got a few to go,” he said.
“That and getting a couple of rides in town. I’ll play things by ear.”
Heywood said the Snowden stable had been great to him since his move and they had already taught him a great deal.
He hopes he can spend the rest of his apprenticeship at metropolitan level.
“It’s not too bad, it’s got everything you need here. You’re never going to get an opportunity like this again so I want to make the most of it before I get heavy,” he said.