Stewards Desmond and Cooke join forces
Racing and Wagering WA has appointed Rebecca Desmond and Tayla Cooke as the first female cadet stewards in more than 100 years of Perth trotting.
Desmond, 28, gained a degree in criminology at Edith Cowan University and is a qualified classical dressage instructor.
Cooke, 21, has worked in administration and marketing with Northam Race Club, Perth Racing and RWWA.
"Rebecca and Tayla were selected from 25 applicants for stewards' cadetships," RWWA chief trotting steward Carl Coady said. "They will attend city and country trot meetings with senior stewards to build experience.
"Observation of inquiries is an important part of their training.
"While we've had women stewards working in WA thoroughbred racing, Rebecca and Tayla are breaking new ground at Gloucester Park.
"Women are established on Eastern States stewards' panels and Barbara Scott was recently appointed chief harness racing steward in Adelaide.
"Barbara was previously a Sydney steward."
Desmond and Cooke are enthusiastically tackling their cadetships.
"After being a show rider and then a dressage instructor at Byford, I decided to seek a different horse-industry profession," Desmond said. "Becoming a steward links well with my degree in criminology."
Cooke, also a former equestrian competitor, has been a part-time assistant harness racing steward for 18 months.
"Earlier stewards' work gave me valuable knowledge to help with starting my cadetship," Cooke said.
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