LESS than a year into an involvement in the racing industry, Mt Rowan youngster Megan DeSpirt already knows it’s for her.The 17-year-old has been an instant hit in her role as stablehand and track rider at Daryl and Val Brown’s racing stables in Miners Rest, and has been announced as one of two finalists in the 2010 Tabcorp Victorian Thoroughbred Employee of the Year Awards.DeSpirt is vying for the state’s New Staff Member of the Year title with Amy Cleland of Kate Goodrich’s Kilmore stables.“Apparently it was out of 1000 applications so I’m pretty lucky to get this far,” DeSpirt said.“Whether I come home with the award or not, it will be good.”DeSpirt, who has ridden horses for the past four years, and is a member of the Smythesdale Pony Club, was introduced to the possibility of joining a racing stable through her grandmother’s relationship with Val Brown.“I had watched races, but hadn’t had a lot of experience with it or known a lot about it. This has helped me learn a lot.”The Ballarat High School year-12 graduate has been off work for about the last month after a heavy track fall left her requiring key-hole surgery to repair ligament damage in one of her knees.But the serious fall hasn’t dampened the spirits of DeSpirt, who is keen to get back in the saddle once she gets the all-clear from the doctors.“I still love riding,” she said.DeSpirt is currently studying certificate three in racing, and plans to further her education and career options by undertaking a veterinary nurse course next year.A keen interest in breeding, particularly warmbloods and clydesdales, may also be pursued in the future.“(My career path) is something with horses definitely, but there is so much to choose from in horse careers,” she said.“I’m just going to see how I go.”The 2010 Tabcorp Victorian Thoroughbred Employee of the Year Awards will be held during Saturday’s Australian Guineas meeting at Flemington.