Emily Farr takes on the boys in Great Northern jumping races

Young jockey Emily Farr is proud to take on the boys in Saturday's Great Northern features at Ellerslie.

"Being the only girl riding in the races adds a little bit of pressure but I'm looking forward to it," Farr said.

These are no ordinary races. 

They are tough, energy-sapping affairs especially the 6400m Great Northern Steeplechase, around eight and a-half minutes of intense competition including three times over the famed Ellerslie hill.

"It's a big old deal," Farr said. "Three times up the hill tests horses and jockeys. The first lap you find your spot, the second round you try to be nice and relaxed and then you get serious as the intensity increases third time around."

The Great Northern Hurdles (4190m), by comparison, is shorter but still a stern test of stamina.

Farr fancies her chances of adding her name to the list of female jockeys to win the hurdles and has added incentive.

"After all Mrs Browne has been through lately it would be such an emotional win especially after we lost the KS Browne Hurdle," she said.

In a shock to the racing fraternity, last Friday her Northern mount Raisafuasho was disqualified from winning the KS Browne Hurdle because he had returned a positive swab.

Raisafuasho is trained by the highly respected Ann Browne, wife of the late Ken Browne in whose honour the race was named. 

In over 60 years in racing that Mrs Browne had never been charged with an offence and the Judicial Control Authority chairman Murray McKechnie pointed out that the decision was no reflection on her reputation.

Farr reckons she can gain some compensation for the stable.

"He loves it wet," she said. "He's an ideal horse for the race - when the others are stopping he's going to keep going." 

Raisafuasho carried 67kg when a last start sixth over hurdles at Ellerslie a fortnight ago and drops to 65.5kg and will be contesting the race for the third year in a row and will be attempting to become the fifth horse to carry the famous Browne colours to victory.

Raisafuasho is currently offering good value in the final field fixed odds) market at $6 

Favourite for the race is Monarch Chimes at $3.30, with El Corby $4.80 and Kipkeino $5.50.

One for odds may be the John Wheeler-trained last start winner Stormin Norman ($14), to be ridden by star jockey Shaun Fannin.

Amanood Lad and Wise Men Say dominate betting in the steeplechase but Farr warns punters not to discount her ride Nells Belle, the sole mare taking on the boys.

"She's the smokey in the race," Farr said. "She tries very hard and is a tough little girl."