Charlotte O'Beirne has found a sensible way to visit the prettiest parts of New Zealand - by riding winners.
O'Beirne (21), a native of Gloucestershire in England, decided to make the most of her 3kg allowance by heading to the West Coast circuit in January.
Fresh off shedding her 4kg claim at Stratford on New Year's Eve, O'Beirne turned up to Reefton and snared one winner before steering home two victors at Kumara and another at Hokitika a few days later.
''I'm just coming down, getting aboard in the fields and getting to see more of New Zealand, which is nice.
''I've had a really good run down here - it's definitely been worth every trip I've come down.
''Whilst I'm claiming up, it's a good opportunity to come down and get some rides and hopefully do well.''
O'Beirne already has one winner in Southland - Gunna Fly at Gore's feature meeting on January 17 - and is hoping to add to her southern tally at Ascot Park today.
She will be climbing aboard five runners, including Bragging Rights in the rating 85 1400m, the only horse she has previous experience with.
The pair combined to finish sixth at Gore on January 17, although that was in the Gore Cup at open level.
''I don't think it was his best - I think tomorrow will be a good indication of where he's at,'' O'Beirne said.
''He's come back in distance tomorrow so that may help. His chances in a wetter track will be seen tomorrow.
"I think he would have preferred it to have been a bit better, but what can you do?''He's fit and well and I galloped him yesterday and he felt fantastic. Tomorrow, we will see.''
The rating 85 1400m attracted just seven runners and the scratching of Kevildo means Bragging Rights has just five rivals when he jumps from barrier 2.
''It's a small field so he's got the best opportunity to be in a good spot.''
O'Beirne knows little about her other four runners other than what she has seen on video replays, although she was impressed by The Theme (race 2) on debut.
The Dennis brothers-trained 5yr-old began her career with a tidy second at Gore in December and O'Beirne expects the mare to have kicked on from there.
''She looks like a nice horse - she went pretty well on a slow track last start.
''She had a pretty tough run being three-wide throughout and it looked like a pretty solid performance so she'll be a nice chance tomorrow.''
O'Beirne is apprenticed to Levin horseman Peter McKenzie, but has been riding mostly for Kevin Myers in recent weeks, although she is happy to travel down if the winners keep running.
''So long as I've got the rides, I'll keep coming down.''
O'Beirne has been riding for most of her life, including time in showjumping and showing.
''I made the transition on to racing and I've been doing it ever since.''
