By Alan Besley

The professional riding career of Bendigo’s Courtney Pace got off to a sensational start when she rode a winner in her very first race ride.
The promising apprentice rode the Lee Hope trained Finlayson to victory at Cranbourne and now has more wins in her sights.
Courtney completed Year 12 at Catholic College in Bendigo last year and started her apprenticeship in February.
 The talented young rider has had a long association with the thoroughbred industry. Her father Arthur was a former jockey and is now a successful trainer.
Courtney has been chasing winners on the amateur circuit for the past three years and she won the Dennis Foy Memorial Up and Coming Rider Award last year.
Her tally in the amateur ranks stands at 29 winners from 181 rides.
Now that she has joined the professional ranks Courtney will be aiming to use her apprentice claim to pick up some handy rides on the metropolitan tracks during the winter months.