Tasmania’s young guns ready to roll

More apprentices poised to debut

TASMANIA’S apprentice jockey ranks have grown substantially in the past year and there are more about to make their debuts within the next few months.

The latest to join the apprentice ranks is Catherine Van Munster who recently signed on with Brighton trainer John Luttrell and while she has been in the system for about six years and has travelled and became involved in other areas of the industry to find her niche.

Van Munster started out with the Scott Brunton stable but decided to head to Armidale Stud to gain experience at a horse stud and to further broaden her horizons, she worked on a sheep and cattle farm on the East Coast that led to a management role.

But with that experience behind her the 25-year-old decided horses were her thing and becoming a jockey became her main goal. “I am so excited to finally be doing what I’m sure I was always meant to do, and I am really looking forward to putting everything into my apprenticeship,” Van Munster said after guiding Romary to an impressive trial win at Elwick on Monday.

Another apprentice, Lauryn Bingley, is hoping to make her race riding debut in Hobart on Sunday where she is expected to have one ride, but if that doesn’t eventuate, she will debut at Devonport the following week.

Chloe Wells, who made an enormous impact in her first six weeks of riding, has been sidelined for 16 months after breaking her leg in a race fall in Devonport.

Wells was back riding in trials in Hobart on Tuesday and looked great in the saddle and she says her return to race riding should be at the end of August and everyone is eagerly awaiting her return.

Codi Jordan (61 wins) wrapped up the apprentices and senior jockeys’ premierships in what was a brilliant effort considering she was only in her second season of riding.

Taylor Johnstone, who is indentured to Team Wells and is based at Brighton, finished sixth on the premiership table with 33 wins for what was a good season for her considering she only started race riding in September last year.

Chelsea Baker also excelled in her first season riding 29 winners to finish ninth overall, but she didn’t ride her first winner until March, a month after being issued her licence to ride in races. Apprentice Erica Byrne Burke threatened to win the overall title at one stage with her season tally of 46 winners, enough to hold down third spot on the premiership table.

Last season was one that saw apprentice riders excel, more than any other season.