Grima hopes for another memorable day after ‘extremely fitting’ Epsom win

Craig KerryOctober 8, 2026 — 12:15pmAfter her prays were answered in an “extremely fitting” debut group 1 win on God’s Window, champion apprentice Siena Grima hopes to make the most of another opportunity in a $1.5 million race on Saturday at Rosehill.Grima will ride Althoff for boss Chris Waller in the group 3 Alan Brown Stakes (1500m), which carries the same prizemoney as the time-honoured group 1 Epsom Handicap won in stunning style by stablemate God’s Window last Saturday at Randwick.Siena Grima salutes on God’s Window in the Epsom Handicap last Saturday.Getty ImagesIt was a fairytale win for Grima, who had not yet tasted success at stakes level and was having a first ride in a group 1.The 24-year-old, riding at 50 kilograms, guided the $26 chance down the outside from last on the turn to score a one and three quarter-length victory on the soft track.The horse’s name made the win even more special for Grima and mentor Darren Beadman, who famously quit his career as a leading jockey in 1997 to become a Christian minister before returning in 2000 and winning another five Sydney premierships.“I found it really fitting,” Grima said of her group 1 winner’s name.“Obviously Darren’s been open about his faith, and I’m really into my faith as well, so I thought it was extremely fitting that that horse brought us together and it won an Epsom.Top apprentice jockey Siena Grima and mentor Darren Beadman.Getty Images“My whole family, especially my dad’s side, the Maltese side, they’re very into their Christianity. I went through Catholic primary school, high school, and it was just something that really resonated with me, so I thought to get on a horse like him, it was a perfect ending.”When asked about the name, Beadman said: “A wise man said it was God’s way of opening a window for her.”There were tears of joy and pride from Grima, Waller and Beadman after the win. Grima also pointed and looked to the heavens after crossing the finishing line.“All my grandparents have passed away, so that was for them,” she said.“And I was like please rain, rain, rain, and I got my rain.”Grima has another chance in a rich race on Saturday with a Waller runner which bypassed the Epsom.Althoff, a $19 TAB chance, will carry 53 kilograms in the 1400m Alan Brown, where the five-year-old has gate seven. He was seventh, less than three lengths away, in the 1400m Bill Ritchie Handicap last start at Randwick, after wins at Rosehill at his previous two runs.Grima, who won on the Yulong-owned gelding in January and took him to second first-up this preparation, is back aboard.Siena Grima is all smiles after riding Althoff to victory at Royal Randwick in January.Getty Images“She knows the horse well, that’s why she’s riding her, and the light weight of course,” Waller said.“The race the other day, they just went too slow. He loves 1400m, he loves Rosehill. He’ll run a good race. He was one of the favourites for the Epsom, if he ran.”Grima said the signs have been positive for Althoff since the Bill Ritchie.“He’s up against some nice horses, but the lightweight and the 1400, I think he’s really going to enjoy,” she said.“I think he’s come on from that run. I ride him nearly every day and he’s kicking up and playing on the way home, so I think he’s feeling well.“He likes to sit sort of midfield. When I won on him, I was a lot closer, but I drew well and just landed there, so if they want to tick along and I can sit in midfield, get a cart in, he should be finishing off.”Grima is also down to ride Elliptical ($19) for Waller in the third on Saturday, although the Hermitage-owned stayer could instead run on Friday in the Port Macquarie Cup.She chases wins with Richard and Will Freedman-trained Miss Spacegirl ($5) in the Midway Handicap to open the card and Jason Coyle’s Lulumon ($19) in the last after finishing second on both last time out.Miss Spacegirl lost to Call Me Sassy in a photo-finish first-up in the same grade, but has a tricky draw in 10. Lulumon came down the outside to finish three-quarters of a length behind rails runner Annie’s Rose first up but has the outside gate to contend with on Saturday.“They were both first up and they both run really nice races,” Grima said.“Unfortunately, Lulumon’s got a terrible draw, and so does Miss Spacegirl.“Miss Spacegirl carries a bit of weight, but she’s a really tough filly. She’ll give you everything, and she gave me a beautiful feel when I helped her just build up through her gears, and I think maybe that fitness was just what got her there, and there was a little late gap that I had to come through, but she really shot through it. But I think she should just improve off that.“Lulumon, she’ll probably have to go back, but anything can happen. Jason’s got her going really well and hopefully she just continues off that.”From our partners