WINNO'S SIXTY SECONDS WITH ... GINA MITCHELL

By Darren Winningham with Gina Mitchell | Thursday, February 2, 2017

GINA MITCHELL is an apprentice Jockey at Harold Norman Stables on the Gold Coast.

Gina makes a welcomed return to the track this Saturday at Eagle Farm, albeit in a strapping role for Moon and the Stars for her boss Harold Norman.

Gina was at track work on 30 July 2016 at the Gold Coast when a horse reared up and she fell off landing on her shoulder and suffering a serious shoulder injury. She describes the injury “as a dislocated shoulder and all the ligaments in the joint were torn as well”.

Key hole surgery was done on her right shoulder which basically reconstructed the whole joint and she has been in recovery ever since.

So is there a scar now Gina?

No the surgeon has done a brilliant job – no scar you would not even know that I have had surgery.

So have you got full movement back in your shoulder yet?

I have been doing well. I nearly have full movement back in it now, but I only have limited external rotation in the joint at the moment. The physiotherapist said this would be the hardest movement to get back but I am working with them to return full movement to the joint.

What is the prognosis?

Well, I am seeing the surgeon in March and if my rehabilitation continues going well I will hopefully get a clearance to return to track work at least!

Gina, Winno thought he saw you on social media trying to ride mechanical horse. Was this thecase?

Actually it was me! I have one of them at home and it has assisted in my recovery and complements the physio treatments. I only really have been doing it in recent weeks – but it feels great to be on a “horse” again, as such!

Do you have a nickname?

Well my boyfriend “Bushy” (Daniel Small – son of the great Cyril Small) calls me Dori! Some of the owners and my previous boss, David Kelly, call me “Braveheart”.

So I believe you are from England?

Winno, the interview will end here! I am from Scotland! (Winno has started in poor form).

So when did you move to Australia?

I moved to Perth on 15 June 2012. I started working at the stables in Perth and riding track work over there. Then I moved to the Gold Coast in July 2013 and I have based myself here since then. My intention was only to be here for three months and return home – but I am here now!

So being Scottish do you own a kilt?

Well, yes I actually do own one and it is red tartan!

How long have you been with “Bushy”– Daniel Small?

Well it was 20 November 2015.

How long have you been riding as a jockey?

I probably rode as a licenced jockey for 8 months prior to getting hurt.

Who is your master?

I started working for David Kelly at the Gold Coast. I have now moved to Harold Norman at the Gold Coast. I started working for him around six weeks prior to the injury.

What is your best memory working for David Kelly?

I was lucky enough for David to send me to Flemington to look after and ride Final Crescendo in preparation for some runs down there in 2015. The horse raced on Melbourne Cup Day.

It was really good to do this – it meant so much to me! At least if I never get to ride at Flemington I can say I rode track work at Flemington!

Best thing you like about your work?

I am a horse lover. This is the main reason I got into racing. I have grown up with horses my whole life. In Scotland we had horses. My mum loved horses, my brother worked at stables and rode track work, but dad was not all that keen on horses. My brother is too big to be a jockey – he would be happy to come here and ride if he was given the opportunity.

What do you do when you cannot sleep?

Play the Play Station – I have become an expert.

Jockeys start early in the morning what time do you get up to start work?

I have been back working around six weeks now – but only really very light duties. I normally get up to start work around 3.00am.

How do you prefer to be woken up in the morning?

Actually, like most people I do not like to be woken up at all! Otherwise I wake up with my alarm on my phone – I am notorious for pressing snooze and getting another ten minutes sleep!

A memorable day you have had as a jockey?

Well it has to be my first provincial winner as a jockey – the horses name was “Nudgee”. It was for trainer Tony Hayden – it was like a $14 shot and he just smashed them that day!

What about the day at Kilcoy when you won the jockeys challenge on the program?

That was a pretty good day! You were there Winno! You know I didn’t ride a winner that day but I rode two seconds– and two thirds. You know I only had the four rides and won the Award! As a matter of fact I have the trophy right in front of me right now! It is a beautiful trophy!

What is the favourite horse you have ridden?

Okay Swift ... it is trained by Olivia Cairns at Mackay. I have ridden the horse six times for four wins and a third! The horse hasn’t won since either! I think I need to get fit and get back aboard ASAP.

What is the turning point of your career?

Probably this injury, as horrible as it has been I am hoping I will come back a better rider. I have been working hard in the gym and with the physiotherapist and I feel stronger and better! I have been doing a lot of core strengthening work as well – so when I do return that it will not be such a big shock to the body.

What are you always late for?

I am never late! I am female!

If you retired from being a jockey what would you do?

Probably be a singer. I used to be a singer back home in Scotland. Or even be involved in the musical theatre industry I really do love it!

What is your favourite music?

I am pretty versatile – I love any music and, in particular, I love live music!

Who is your favourite musician?

Bon Jovi.

What is the most embarrassing song on your phone?

Barbie Girl by Aqua.

What is the most embarrassing phone on “Bushy’s” phone?

Cartoon Heroes by Aqua.

What is your favourite gadget?

My phone – it never leaves my side.

What would you chose as your last meal?

Meatballs – they come in a tin and they are only available in Scotland. They come in gravy and other sauces – I really do love them!

I have tried to get them imported over here – but I cannot get them. When I went home I ate about forty tins! (Winno said “they sound gross!”)

Name one person who you want to have dinner with?

Bon Jovi – I would ask him to marry me!

Name one thing you could not live without?

(In the background Daniel “Bushy” Small chimes in with “me”! Gina agrees).

I cannot live without him as he does all the cooking – I am not allowed in the kitchen! I cannot cook Winno!

What is your greatest fear?

Spiders 100% - there was a huntsman in my room the other day – OH MY GOD!

So did you kill the spider?

No way! I just ran away – I was so scared that it would jump at me! I was like a ninja jumping over the bed to get away from it!

What is your favourite place to be?

My bed ... or when I am riding – it has been such a big part of my life! I don’t know how to not do it. This (with the injury) has been the longest time ever I have been out of the saddle since I was two years old. I started my first competition on a horse on my second birthday!

What is a favourite place that you have travelled to?

Disneyland – Orlando, Florida USA.

NRL/AFL favourite team?

NRL – Broncos, because they have a horse as their mascot! (Well, that is the most unique answer Winno has heard ever to follow that lot!).

State of Origin time – NSW or QLD?

Queenslander! I have to go for them as I haven’t lived in NSW yet!

Who do you talk most to on the phone?

Daniel – well “Bushy” everyone calls him BUSHY!

Can I ask why he is called “Bushy?”

He got the name in year 10 at school and has been called that ever since – it has just stuck. Everyone at the track calls him “bushy”. I only call him Daniel when he is in trouble!

What is your favourite chocolate?

Lindor – they are beautiful!

What is your favourite fragrance?

Britney Spears – “Fantasy.”

Has Bushy bought some of this for you?

Actually he has been pretty good with stuff like that – he looks after me.

What is your favourite handbag brand?

You know I do not have a favourite brand. I just like something that goes with my outfit. I do not like spending a lot of money on a “brand” name when I can spend it on something else.

So would you say you are thrifty?

You could say I am very thrifty!

What are you grateful for everyday?
J
Just for being here. I probably just take things for granted a little bit. After this injury I have had to learn to do the simple things all over again. Like tying up my shoes laces and dressing myself. This has been a huge wake up call.

What landmark symbolises Australia?

Ayers rock – Uluru.

It would be unfair for me not to ask what landmark or item symbolises Scotland?

NESSY! - The Loch Ness monster.

What do you like to put on a sandwich?

I love sandwiches – But Daniel makes them for me! Daniel makes me chicken and egg sandwiches. So it has to be chicken breast and only the yellow bit of the egg (the yolk) on the sandwich. Has to be on white bread with butter and definitely no salt and pepper! Oh with some ketchup as well!

(Winno says – I cannot believe you eat that. It is wrong in many ways! Gina, that is up there with the freakiest sandwiches that have been disclosed – I am not sure I would want to be downwind of you after you having eaten one!) Gina says: You will have to try it Winno!

What toppings do you like on your pizza?

I love pizzas – I have only cheese and chicken on them only – I am pretty picky! Eagle Boys make the best pizzas.

How do you define success?

Reaching you goals.

Have you reached any of them yet?

Well, I don’t like setting my goals too far because you never know what is going to happen. So I would love to ride my first Gold Coast winner – that is one that I really would like to achieve. I only got to ride there once prior to my injury.

Who is you man crush?

Chris Pratt and Channing Tatum.

Who is your girl crush?

Ruby Rose. (“Bushy” approved as well!)

Tell us something that may surprise us about you?

I have an honours degree in Musical Theatre. That is what I used to do back home in Scotland. Then I planned to do a three month holiday in Australia and I haven’t gone home.

If you are down to your last $10 what would you spend it on?

Magnum Ice Cream – the milk chocolate ones. I would just wait until they are on special at Coles or Woolworths so I could but a couple of boxes of them. I love a good bargain. I have always been a bargain hunter. Mummy taught me well!

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