Amateur jockey Amie Waugh relishing 'last chance' as she turns professional

Succcessful amateur Amie Waugh takes a "very exciting" new step with her first ride as a professional on Sound Of Iona at Haydock on Friday.

The diminutive jockey – she is less than five feet tall – has ridden winners over hurdles and fences, but is taking advantage of her light weight to commit herself to a paid career as a freelance on the Flat.

"It's a very exciting time," said Waugh, 31, who has won 24 races under rules, including nine on the Flat, plus several more in point-to-points.

She will ride as a 5lb-claiming professional and said: "It's something I have had a few opportunities to do in the past but I've been into pointing and jump racing too much.

Amie Waugh has ridden winners over hurdles and fences as well as on the FlatCredit: John Grossick (racngpost.com/photos)

"Being short and so light I can do 7st 9lb with no problem so it's a sensible thing to do, and it's probably the last chance."

Waugh, who rode her first Flat winner on 80-1 shot Tourtiere in the Ladies Derby at Ripon in 2015, has also acted as assistant to her father Simon, who trains in Northumberland.

"I've had a good season on the Flat and I'll still be around to help out my father when I can," she said.

The first mount of her new career is trained by Jim Goldie, who provided Waugh with her biggest winner on Nicholas T in the Queen Mother's Cup at York in June.

Sound Of Iona takes on nine rivals in a 5f handicap (2.55), and Waugh said: "She should have a decent chance, she ran well at Hamilton last time."

Haydock Friday card and betting

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