She travels to all parts of Victoria each week, racking up between 20 and 30 races across six meetings.

But Lafferty, who has 30 wins after just four-and-half-months in the saddle, is in a holding pattern.

The Caulfield-based Lafferty was on Friday five days into a 14-day self-isolation period due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Lafferty, 21, was on a short break in Singapore when news broke Australians travelling overseas would have to self-quarantine upon her return.

But the forced hiatus could prove timely for the 2019 Penshurst Cup winner who is aiming to consolidate herself on the city racing circuit in coming months.

She hopes to rest and recover from a busy schedule and then push for more metropolitan meetings after riding at the famous Flemington track for the first time just before her Singapore holiday.

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"It's been tough but very rewarding which makes it all worth it," Lafferty said of her introduction into the sport.

"We pushed and pushed and pushed. I am always very grateful for trainers putting me on.

"People always say 'you deserve it, you work hard for it' but there's a lot of people that work hard in the racing industry.

"I didn't expect it to be going so well and very consistent as well. I was expecting up and down.

"We didn't have many flat periods and we were quite consistent and always building."

Lafferty will use her self-isolation period to watch race film and practice with the mechanical horse she has at home. It will also be a chance to relax - play board games, read and watch TV.

"I think this is a little bit of a setback but I am trying to look at the positives," she said.

"It is a tough (industry) and to have a longer freshen up than what was planned, hopefully I'll go back into it and work harder again.

"I had my first city ride at Flemington just before I went on holidays so that is something to come back into and progress into the city on a regular basis."

Lafferty said the support of south-west trainers, such as Symon Wilde, Patrick Ryan, Simon Ryan, Daniel Bowman and Lindsey Smith had helped her establish herself in the industry.

"Whenever I come down to Terang, Camperdown and Warrnambool for meetings I am always getting full books," she said.

Lafferty was known in racing circles before she decided to become a jockey.

Racing played a big part in her upbringing. Her dad Peter is a trainer as was her late grandfather Kevin.

But the Emmanuel College graduate had a big decision when it came to her sporting future.

"I think I am just a competitive person. Whatever sport I chose I was going to go 100 per cent into that," Lafferty said.

A talented athlete, running was also an option for Lafferty. Racing, in the end, ticked more boxes.

"I really wanted to go to America (for running) but being away from home was a factor as well," Lafferty said.

"Financially my parents were paying for me to travel around Australia running.

"I didn't have a job - I was studying and running. I wasn't in a position to be fulfilling everything I did want to do in athletics.

"I was studying at the time, doing year 12 and couldn't go overseas for three months and go on tour.

"In racing I am able to support myself and earn and wage and you're still an athlete.

"It is an individual sport but it's not really, you're working with trainers. I enjoy having the connection with trainers, horses and owners as well instead of just a solo running session."

Lafferty has lived in Melbourne for two years but it took the former North Warrnambool Eagles netballer time to adjust after growing up on her family's large Warrnambool property.

"I didn't enjoy it at the start, the city life. It was quite difficult," she said.

"People do it a bit differently down here. Warrnambool is a community where trainers are coming together and helping one another.

"But there are some really lovely people (in the city) and once I built connections with the trainers I am riding for it became a lot easier.

"It's been overwhelming the support I've got from big Melbourne trainers."

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