AVOCA: Catto Saddles Up In Camel Race
Tuesday, 14 October 2008: Catto will be riding a runner in the Taltarni Camel Cup, which will be a feature after the thoroughbred racing program at the Avoca Cup meeting.
“They're similar skills when riding a camel or a horse. You still have to sit well and have good balance,” Catto said.
“Because the camel is bigger though, it has a much loopier stride than a thoroughbred.
“The main difference between the two is that you don't have as much control over a camel. There is really no steering.
“The camels we'll ride on Saturday are professionally trained and used to running on a racecourse.
"Basically, we'll walk the camels to the start, turn them around and they'll instinctively follow the rail back to where their mates are.”
A mother of two, Catto has been riding camels for more than 10 years, which included a stint in the United Arab Emirates in 1998.
Catto has also competed in quarterhorse racing, polo cross and riding clubs.
During the week Catto assists her husband Matthew Catto run his trucking transport business as well as their family farm that includes a cattle feed lot, cropping enterprise and running sheep.
“Saturday is going to be a lot of fun riding in front of a home crowd, with many of the locals knowing who you are,” Catto said.
“Racing down the straight of the home racetrack will be a good feeling.”
Catto will be one of two local Avoca women in the race, with fellow camel jockey Rebecca Wardlaw also riding.
There will be two camel races featuring the six camels, which will be conducted after the last thoroughbred race.
The six camels hail from Glenda Sutton's stable in Shepparton.
In August the six camels travelling to Avoca competed in a 120km endurance race in central western Queensland.
This will be the third time the camels have raced at Avoca.
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