Ειδικό αφιέρωμα του Καναδικού Ιπποδρομιακού Τύπου στην Καντιώ Βουτσίνου – άφησε πολλές «υποσχέσεις» για το μέλλον στο ντεμπούτο της
Από την πρώτη της κιόλας – επιτυχημένη – συμμετοχή «τράβηξε την προσοχή» του Ιπποδρομιακού Τύπου αλλά και των επαγγελματιών του χώρου. Όλες οι ενδείξεις μέχρι στιγμής προοιωνίζονται το ξεκίνημα μίας λαμπρής σταδιοδρομίας για την ταλαντούχα αμαζόνα Καντιώ Βουτσίνου, ενώ στο ίδιο δημοσίευμα γίνεται επίσης αναφορά στην επερχόμενη πρώτη εμφάνιση στις Καναδικές Ιπποδρομίες του αναβάτη Αλέξη Χαλιάσου, στον οποίο ευχόμαστε να έχει και εκείνος με την σειρά του ανάλογες μεγάλες επιτυχίες!
Διαβάστε παρακάτω το συγκεκριμένο δημοσίευμα:
Greek rider making the most of her chances Featured
It was a gamble on both sides and, for a few moments on Sunday afternoon at Northlands Park, the reward was evident for jockey Kandio Voutsinou and trainer Diana Feuerhelm.
The saga of Voutsinou's second-place finish aboard Black Canaveral in what may have seemed a routine claiming race began when the Greek rider spotted Feuerhelm's annual advertisement seeking an exercise rider.
"I was looking for a morning rider and I think I found a real jockey," Feuerhelm said in the testing barn after the six-furlong sprint. "Kandy answered it and I was impressed with her open attitude. Her entire approach, in fact."
The unlikely couple — one from big-city Athens and the other from small-town Olds, Alberta – waded through the journey of paperwork required to obtain a working visa for Voutsinou, who brings nine victories from native land.
She also brings a friend. Alexandros Chaliasos followed a similar route and now waits for his first race opportunity in Canada. Obviously, Voutsinou believes he has similar ability, but the adjustment to Canada has been more difficult for him.
"He is good with all the tough horses," Feuerhelm said. "Every trainer has some that don't settle easily, but he calms them down right away."
When — and if — he gets a Northlands opportunity, both Voutsinou and Feuerhelm are confident the local Greek community will support him. "Already, I'm getting a lot of support," Voutsinou said.
Now 35, she also brings a story of overcoming disappointment through great effort.
"It was the economy," she said in comfortable English. "Things did not go well. I had to sell my horses and my farm and I was looking for the best thing to do that would keep me close to the horses and still make some money."
At about five feet in height and 112 pounds in weight, the best option now seems obvious: she decided to become a jockey – a path she took three years ago.
"I was 32, the oldest ever to join jockey school in Greece," Voutsinou grinned.
Success did not come quickly.
"It was harder to ride in Greece," she recalls. "It is not a nation that pays much attention to the horses and we raced only two days a week, sometimes six races a day and sometimes, maybe 10."
Greek apprentices are forbidden from using a riding stick. Besides, there was no help available in the starting gate. She learned one step at a time: "That is often the best way."
But not always.
At Northlands, supported by Feuerhelm and others in her stable, Voutsinou got her start by climbing aboard every possible thoroughbred during morning workouts. Right away, one asset became obvious.
"She has great hands," Feuerhelm said. "She can get a horse to settle down."
The combination of visible skill and obvious effort prompted Feuerhelm, almost immediately, to seek the right opportunity in a race.
Last week, the decision was made. Black Canaveral seemed an excellent fit. Competent on the track and low-maintenance in the barn, the three-year-old showed promising flashes last year.
"He's still growing," Feuerhelm said. "He's good natured. A little kid could ride him."
But not as well as Voutsinou did.
She hustled her mount out of the gate quickly and stayed in mid-pack until the final quarter. When she got down to riding, Black Canaveral got down to running. They moved up a couple of spots for a solid finish.
"It was an excellent ride," Feuerhelm noted. "Over here, apprentices can use a stick. She did it in the stretch and it was fine."
She also found space along the rail, saving considerable ground, and showed no discomfort on the few occasions she was at close quarters.
"There will be tougher races," the rider said. "I know that. I look forward to more chances."
So does her new friend, who saddled Dreamy Terrell for a victory on the opening day of the 2012 meet and has plans for more to come.
"I'll use Kandy again," Feuerhelm said. "She deserves it."
Πηγή: www.northlandspark.ca/
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