A lifetime in the saddle

The 18-year-old, whose love for the majestic animals began early in life, is following in her family's footsteps and taking it all in her stride.

Having only taken up the sport professionally about two years ago, she has clocked up 196 wins, is a Perth Racing ambassador and face of the Kingston Town Classic, and could not imagine doing anything else.

"I come from a racing family," Warwick said.

"My whole family have been in racing their entire life.

"Both my grandad and his dad trained trotters, my dad was also a leading harness driver and trainer, and won many races. My mum was a world-class show jumper at one stage and mum and dad now train race horses.

"I really had no choice but to grow up in racing."

With Michelle Payne hype at fever pitch, Warwick said she could not be happier for the 30-year-old who became the first woman to win the prestigious Melbourne Cup.

She added that while she had never encountered sexism in the sport, it was good to see just as many girls taking up the sport these days.

"I've been pretty lucky through my career, I've never had any sexist comments. I've also never lost a ride due to me being a girl but I've only been riding for two years," she said.

"Michelle's come from a different era and she has done it hard. She's gone through all of that and she has made her mark.

"It's great to see her succeeding and finally live out her dream."

Warwick also had this advice for young girls looking to take up the sport.

"Just go for it," she said.

"It is obviously a male dominated sport, or it has been for many years, but if you're going to compete against the boys, you’ve got to be one of the boys.

"It is sort of intimidating when you start out but if you want to be a jockey and you want to do it, you've just got to go hard for it."

Warwick will race in this weekend's Super Saturday race meet.