Sneak peek for new chief
QUEENSLAND’S new chief steward Peter Chadwick made his first appearance at the races yesterday, ahead of his first meeting as chairman at Doomben on Saturday.
Chadwick began his tenure on Monday and attended the Ipswich races as a guest yesterday, before slipping into the helm this weekend.
He has relocated his family to Queensland after more than 18 years in Singapore.
This will be his first stint in Queensland, having previously worked as a steward in NSW, the ACT, Tasmania and Western Australia.
“We’re excited to be working and living in Queensland and the family being back in Australia,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to engaging with the industry.”
Chadwick’s last meeting in Singapore was August 12, upon which he handed the reins to long-time Racing Victoria chairman of stewards Terry Bailey.
Meanwhile, jockey James Orman’s experience riding talented mare Sold For Song is expected to help offset her big weight at the Doomben on Saturday.
Trainer Kevin Kemp has elected to use senior jockey Orman instead of a claiming apprentice.
Sold For Song has not won since the Daybreak Lover Stakes in June 2016 but has earned her topweight of 59kg on Saturday.
She has been stakes-placed five times since her last win and lumped 57kg when second first-up at the Gold Coast three weeks ago, the biggest weight she has carried in her 25 starts.
Kemp said Orman had a great understanding of Sold For Song and she could be tricky to ride.
“Jim has ridden her heaps of times and I think her biggest problem will be getting a crack at them in straight,” Kemp said.
“Having someone who can do that is obviously pretty essential.”