The 25-year-old has gone from strength-to-strength in recent months and has been rewarded for her hard work with the ride on Busker’s Ballad in Monday’s feature.
It’s been a whirlwind few months for South Australian apprentice Alana Livesey, who will enjoy the biggest moment of her fledgling career when she competes in Monday’s Adelaide Cup.
This time last year Livesey was sidelined by a serious ankle injury but she’s gone from strength-to-strength since making her return to the saddle in May, rattling off an impressive 53 winners since then.
After showing her wares on the provincial and country circuit, the 25-year-old was given permission to ride in the metropolitan area in November and continues to grow in confidence, establishing herself as one of the more reliable claimers in the state.
And now Livesey has been rewarded for her hard work, with boss Ryan Balfour and the owners of Busker’s Ballad giving her the opportunity to take part in the $300,000 feature.
But the prospect of riding in front of a big crowd at Morphettville doesn’t daunt the hoop, who is measured beyond her years.
“It’s a big thrill, I can’t thank the owners and Ryan enough,” Livesey, who will be the only apprentice in the race, said.
“It’ll be great to ride in front of a big crowd, obviously after you can absorb it a bit more after but at the time you’re obviously focused on what you’ve got ahead.”
Livesey has always been around horses, her mother Fenella was a trainer, and she started as a showjumper before turning her attention to racing.
She joined the Balfour stable in May 2019, had her first race ride in 2021 and is now really hitting her straps, but there was never a thought she would be lining up in such a big race so quickly.
“Definitely not, I wanted to be at the metro level and all that, keep getting winners, but this whole season has been fantastic,” Livesey said.
“The support I’ve gotten has been huge.”
Busker’s Ballad is one of the outsiders of the field, rated a $126 chance with the TAB, but that’s probably over the odds considering the veteran finished fifth last year and seems to be striking form at the right time.
He put in an eye-catching effort to finish a narrow third to Wheels – who is a $34 chance – at Murray Bridge last start and should get an economical trip after Livesey plucked gate five at Thursday’s barrier draw.
“Off his last run you’d say he’s going just as good, if not better than 12 months ago,” said Livesey, who has ridden Busker’s Ballad in seven previous races.
“He’s a fit and happy horse. We’ll see how it plays out on the day.
“He’s a horse that Ryan and the owners say to ride for luck and if he get the breaks, he’ll let down well.”