Mighty Matt

Having been runner up on the New Zealand Jockeys' Premiership for the past two seasons, we are thrilled that Te Akau stable rider Matt Cameron looks sure to be crowned the Premiership winner for 2013/14 as the NZ Racing Desk reports:

A career that was ignited by a visit to the local racing stables of New Plymouth trainer Alan Sharrock as a teenager will rise to another level when Matt Cameron is officially crowned as New Zealand's leading jockey.

The now 27-year-old has gone agonisingly close to the title in the past two seasons after runner-up finishes to Lisa Allpress in 2012 and then Opie Bosson last year, both times falling just three victories short of the crown.
Matt Cameron photo: Trish Dunell

He has done it in style this year as he currently holds an unassailable lead over his nearest rival Johnathon Parkes and has had the luxury of relaxing the punishing schedule he has previously followed.

“It is quite a strange feeling in that usually at this time of the year I'm riding at every meeting that I can fit in so it has taken a bit of getting used to over the past few weeks and I'm still not sure if it has quite sunken in yet,” Cameron said.

Not that it has all been plain sailing as he thought his shot at the title was over when he sustained a serious knee injury at the Matamata trials in late February.

“I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time and ended up getting a decent kick in the leg from one of Jason Bridgman's two-year-olds who had taken fright in the birdcage,” he said.

With some outstanding rides at Ellerslie's premier carnival, including Who Shot Thebarman (NZ) (Yamanin Vital) in the Auckland Cup and Te Akau Racing's Spellbinder (NZ) (O'Reilly) in the New Zealand Derby, Cameron was determined the injury wouldn't take away his shot at the Group One features.

“I managed to get through Derby Day and struggled into Cup Day, but I was determined to give it my best shot as I knew Who Shot Thebarman was the one to beat and for any jockey a win in the biggest race on our calendar is an opportunity you don't give up lightly.

“As soon as Cup Week was over I took time out to get my knee right although I wasn't exactly sure how long that would take.

“As it turned out it was about seven weeks in total and right then and there I thought that was the premiership gone.

“Once I did get back riding again I managed to catch up some of the margin fairly quickly so I was back in contention and we really went hard at it to try and secure a lead as quickly as possible.

“For the last two years the plan has always been that May would be a huge month where I would go anywhere and everywhere and basically try and blow everyone else away.

“As it turned out we managed to achieve that, although Mark's (Du Plessis) decision to take up a short term contract in Hong Kong around then certainly pushed me clear at the right time.”

Cameron is proud that of his 138 wins to date, 11 have been in black type events, including his nominated season highlight - the Auckland Cup on Who Shot Thebarman.

“Our family has history with the Auckland Cup as Mum's uncle Brian Cameron was a trainer and won the race in 1979 with Tamboura (NZ) (Papillion) so I guess there is quite a connection there,” he said.

“The family has always had a love of racing and it was my grand-dad who took me to visit Alan Sharrock's stables when I was 13 and put me on the path to the career I have now.

“I started working for Alan when I left school at 15 and served my apprenticeship there.

“Alan was a tremendous boss and he was the one who got me on the right path and did so much for me when I was green and trying to learn the ropes.”

Cameron also singled out several other individuals for special mention.

“I have been extremely fortunate to have some excellent managers in recent years, including Mark Claydon, Gary Cossey and now Mike Brown,” he said.

Appointed stable rider for the powerhouse stables of Te Akau Racing in 2011, Cameron saves his highest praise for Te Akau supremo David Ellis and trainer Jason Bridgman.

“I can't speak more highly of both David and Jason as they are the ones who have really put my career on the map,” he said.

“When I applied to be the stable rider for Te Akau I really didn't think I would get it, but they took a punt on me and the chance to ride for such a strong and professional operation is an opportunity second to none.

“It really woke me up and lifted my work ethic to a new level and I just want to make the most of every chance I get here.”