Ashton is in an ‘arry

APPRENTICE Ashton Arries is a rising star in the apprentice ranks. His seemingly emotionless demur belies a good head on his shoulders but probably more importantly, as the officially world’s best jockey Hugh Bowman acknowledged; “there are a lot of variables that go into being a jockey and being a good horseman is one of them I suppose."

Horses run for Arries, as he showed when Hero Quest handed him the 50th win of his career.

Seemingly in trouble a furlong out, Brett Crawford’s runner rallied under Arries to hold off a late-charging I Am A Rock in the KZNBDS Trustees Handicap at Greyville yesterday.

Muscutt

Assistant Peter Muscutt, who learnt much of his trade under the legendary David Payne, was lavish in his praise of Arries - one trait not written in the tough Payne training manual.

“It’s always difficult to ride frontrunning horses with a tearaway leader but he had to access it,” reasoned Muscutt of the ride.

“He rode a very good and intelligent race. He looks to have a bright future.”

Hero Quest is lightly race. Muscutt, a recent and valuable addition to the Crawford set-up, commented that the gelding had a big scar on a tendon which had probably resulted in him being so lightly raced, but was optimistic.

“He’s a two-miler in the making. Over more ground he will be more effective.”

So one for the notebooks come the Champions Season marathons.

Also learning his trade under Payne was Duncan Howells who landed a double and demonstrated his prowess as he nursed former BSA Million winner Legend back from a potentially career-ending heart strain to win the EMS Red Sol Handicap. “That race (the million) possibly came to soon and he developed a heart problem but he has bounced back to his best,” said Howells.

“He was probably too far out of his ground,” reasoned Howells of his charges last race, “so I told Keagan (De Melo) to place this horse and see what he can do.

“He will end up going 2 000m.”

Goosen

Louis Goosen has made a bit of a splash since arriving in KZN and settling down at Ashburton and he landed another winner as bottom weight Captain’s Girl put a smart field of seasoned sprinters to the sword in the Jumpstart Montessori Handicap.

Eric Ngwane, KZN’s leading apprentice for the last two seasons, bounced the filly out smartly and then eased up to make his own pace. With a tail-wind to assist in the straight he kept her going strongly to easily hold top weight Muscat and the grey Isca.

“She can move,” said a gravelvoiced Goosen after a hard vocal ride and probably in need of some of his ‘wonder water’.

“He (Ngwane) gave her a good ride. He listened and rode a very good race.”