Gun youngsters ride high
TASMANIA hosts the first round of the National Apprentice Riders Series at Elwick today with a swarm of talented young riders to show off their talent in the saddle.
Singapore will be represented for the first time with Shafrizal Bin Saleh to join some of the up-and-coming stars from all states and the Northern Territory.
First run in 2008, the series brings together apprentice jockeys from across Australia with this year seeing the competition expanded with Singapore.
Apprentices represent the state or country in which they are registered to ride.
The apprentice series comprises one race in each jurisdiction and in the opening heat today, Ianish Luximon will represent Tasmania. He partners the Scott Bruntontrained Queen’s Needs in the NARS Heat 1 maiden-class one over 1600m, which is the designated race in which the apprentices ride for points.
The series comprises heats in five states — Tasmania, Western Australia, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia,
with points determined by the finishing positions.
First place earns the rider seven points with five for second, three for third and two for fourth, with one point allocated for fifth through to last. Extra apprentices had to be flown in to make up numbers, so not all apprentices will be riding for points.
Only the eligible riders can earn points, so a rider can earn top points by finishing fifth if ineligible riders fill the first four placings. Riders to ride for points in the first heat of the series are Beaux BanovicEdwards (WA), Carleen Heffel (Victoria), Dakota Graham (Qld), Dan Morgan (NT), Sophie Logan (SA), Brandon Griffith (NSW) and Shafrizal Bin Saleh from Singapore.
Edwards will partner the Stuart Gandy-trained Our Rossa that has fair form and will appreciate a light weight of 53kg, courtesy of the apprentice’s 2kg claim. Heffel will ride With No Name from the Brunton stable but from the outside barrier he might struggle.
Graham, who has ridden more than 100 winners in Queensland, mostly around the Rockhampton region, will team up with Stinka from the Marion Dalco stable. Stinka has been placed at his four starts this preparation and while drawn out wide he should start favourite.
Morgan drew the Rod Seymour-trained My Kingdom that was an impressive winner two starts back in maiden company over 1400m and comes off a last-start sixth of 14 in a 1600m maiden-class one in Launceston behind Needs a Crown. Logan has been in good form in SA and she has drawn the Siggy Carrtrained Jophiel that is rated a top each-way chance.
Griffiths drew Reconquista from the Brunton stable and while an emergency, he gets a start courtesy of the scratching Oh So Needy. Singapore’s Bin Seleh will ride the Dylan Clark-trained Camden Lass.