SATURDAY's Cystic Fybrosis raceday at Caulfield is all about promoting awareness and raising funds to help research the incurable genetic disease and there could be few better examples of living a full life as a CF sufferer than seventeen year-old apprentice Harry Coffey.Swan Hill based Coffey who is apprenticed to his father Austy, will be having his first ride at a metropolitan Saturday racemeeting at Caulfield and there would be no better moment in his brief career than to ride his first city

SATURDAY's Cystic Fybrosis raceday at Caulfield is all about promoting awareness and raising funds to help research the incurable genetic disease and there could be few better examples of living a full life as a CF sufferer than seventeen year-old apprentice Harry Coffey.

Swan Hill based Coffey who is apprenticed to his father Austy, will be having his first ride at a metropolitan Saturday racemeeting at Caulfield and there would be no better moment in his brief career than to ride his first city winner at the meeting.

Coffey had agreed to be interviewed at a CF function on the day some time ago and once that was confirmed, he and his father set to work to try and secure a ride at the meeting, not at an easy task for an apprentice who had only had one ride in Melbourne before.

However fortune was on their side.

Coffey enjoyed his greatest success to date when winning the Ararat Cup on Clang And Bang at his last start and when the horse's trainer and family friend Darren Weir elected to run the gelding in the CFV Great Strides Hcp (2000m) at Caulfield, Coffey was the obvious choice as rider.

Another family friend Terry O'Sullivan made it and even busier day for Coffey, after booking him for Littleriver Ruby in the Community Bank Hcp (1800m).

It is only just over a year since Coffey rode his first winner on a hose named Sauce for Darren Weir at Wycheproof.

He finished last season with 15 winners and already has 19 on the board this year, including a double at Kyneton last Friday.

While Coffey does not view himself as an advertisement for living a full life with CF he says he's aware that others, including Cystic Fibrosis Victoria, do.

''It's a good way of showing parents of kids with CF that if you stay healthy and look after yourself, there is a chance to go out and follow your dreams and live life to the full, rather than let it dictate you,'' Coffey said.

''CF has been using me as an example of someone living with Cystic Fibrosis and that's good. It's something I'm very proud of.''

Austy Coffey who had seen his son grow up in a racing stable, was not surprised that he wanted to be a jockey and having seen his determination in playing other sports, did not see CF as being an obstacle to wanting to ride.

''I didn't know what to think at first but I thought he's been a good little footballer and cricketer and a competitive kid so I thought I'm not going to hold you back from having a go,'' Austy Coffey said.

Harry says one reason his parents were happy for him to try out as a jockey was that he would have to look after his health, a key factor in staying on top of CF.

''Being a jockey is one of the toughest jobs in sport and mum and dad said I would have to be very fit to do it but CF would not hold me back if I worked hard at my health and that is what I have done.''

Apart from taking daily medication to prevent infections, Coffey must undergo half an hour of physiotherapy every day as well as a two week stint in hospital every three to six months for what is termed a 'tune up'.

''It's a bit like a grease and oil change for a car. You are just trying to stay on top of it so go to hospital before you get sick rather than when you are already sick.''

In between his busy riding career and looking after his health, Coffey has still managed to fit in school and has just completed year eleven and will be heading back for year twelve in the new year.

''It (school) has taken a bit of juggling but they are pretty understanding about it.

''I'm not as smart as someone like Jake Noonan (who completed year 12 while riding) but I'm going to give it a go,'' Coffey said.

Determined words from a very determined young man who sounds like he won't let anything stand in his way. (racingvictoria.net.au)