Irish-Tassie hoop off to WA
TALENTED Irish-born apprentice Chris Graham has left the state to further his riding career in Western Australia.
Graham arrived at Adam Trinder’s stable from Victoria about 3½ years ago and in that time established himself as a talented hoop.
He capped his time in this state by winning the apprentice’s premiership in his second full season and was runner-up last season.
He guided last season’s twoyear-old of the year Mystical Pursuit to four consecutive victories that included the state’s top two listed events for juveniles.
Graham rode at his last Tasmanian meeting in Launceston last Wednesday night and while winless, he delivered a couple of stellar rides just to remind trainers how much he will be missed.
He will team up with WA brothers Ben and Dan Pearce who operate a successful training operation at Karnup, about a 30-minute drive from Perth.
“This move has been in the pipeline for about six months and it came about when I went there [ WA] to represent Tasmania in the apprentices series,” Graham said.
“The Pearce brothers have a very successful business so I am confident the move will work out for the best.”
Like most apprentices who loose their claim before the expiration of their apprenticeship, Graham has been lured away to where he can still use a claim.
“I’ll be back to claiming 3kg in the city and 1.5kg in the provincials, so that will obviously open up some opportunities and, in time, get me aboard the better horses.
“I had good success when I rode over there earlier this year so I don’t see any reason why it won’t happen for me as a permanent rider.”
As Graham departs, Tasmania is about to gain three new apprentices.
Singaporean Ianish Luximon has arrived at Trinder’s stable to replace Graham on a two-year riding visa and UK rider Jack Inkpen, who had been awaiting what seemed an eternity his visa approval, will soon be riding in trials to gain his licence to race ride and he will be apprenticed to Scott Brunton.
Wesley Vale trainer Glenn Stevenson is about to take on Cody Jordan as his stable apprentice and she is presently riding in jump-outs.
CLASSY Tasmanian galloper Mister Songman, which has been in the care of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott for the past 12 months, remains in the spelling paddock but is expected to return to work later this month.
Mister Songman’s Tasmanian part-owner John Burke said the gelding was forced out of his last preparation because of a leg injury.
“Gai had the horse ready to go last prep but he suffered a slightly strained check ligament injury,” Burke said.
“It was nothing serious but enough to force him out.
“He is due to come back into work within the next couple of weeks if he is fully recovered.
“There are no firm plans as far as races are concerned but it will take at least 10 weeks to get him fit enough to consider a trial or race once he’s back in work.”