State’s young talent time
SOME Of Australia’s up and coming apprentices take centre stage at Elwick on Sunday when they line up in the second heat of the National Apprentice Riders Series.
The 1600m Maiden Class 1 (race five) is the race in which the apprentices will vie for points but another race (seven) on the program has been set aside for the young riders to ensure they have at least two rides at the meeting.
Ianish Luximon will represent Tasmania and he has drawn to ride the John Luttrell-trained Little Hot Missile that, other than a last-start flop in a Class 1 over 1400m two starts back, had been in decent form with seconds at his two previous outings.
Only four states, Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland, are contesting this year’s series, most likely owing to the unreliability of COVID restrictions and potential snap lockdowns.
NSW has sent Reece Jones and Louise Day to help make up numbers on Sunday, owing to Tasmania’s shortage of apprentices, but they will not be riding for points.
Country Queensland apprentice Rachel Shred has drawn the likely favourite in the race in Tavisplash from the Glenn Stevenson stable.
Tavisplash was impressive in winning last start at Elwick two weeks ago and according to her trainer Glenn Stevenson, the four-year-old mare has blossomed. And he expects much the same as she delivered last start.
Shred is a comeback rider who suffered two nasty falls in a short space of time last year when she was on the brink of being selected to represent the state.
She took time to recover fully but has been riding in great form and is fresh from a win at Gordonvale last week aboard Whitterick (1800m).
Victorian representative Tatum Bull had close to a full book of rides at Donald last Saturday and collected two minor placings.
South Australia will be represented by Lizzie Annells, who takes the sit aboard top weight Dinga’s Delight for John Luttrell and her 3kg claim will assist with that gelding’s chances.
Scarlet So is also over from South Australia and she is no stranger to Tasmania.
She was the state’s leading apprentice last season before being transferred to SA when the State Government shut racing down for almost three months due to COVID restrictions.
So will ride the Scott Brunton-trained Sunset Gun, a winner at Elwick two starts back and a last-start second at the same venue, however, So will not be riding for points.
The third round of the NARS will be held at Doomben in Queensland on May 26 when Thomas Doyle will represent Tasmania.
The state’s leading apprentice Codi Jordan will wear the Tasmanian colours at Sandow in Victoria for the final leg of the series at Sandown on June 16.