Rachel lines up for Craiglea Aldi ride
CAIRNS trainer Alwyn Bailey does not need to go searching for a jockey for this week’s Johnstone River Handicap. He has enough confidence in the one in his own stable.
Emerging apprentice jockey Rachel Shred rode a double on Saturday afternoon up at Atherton Turf Club and Bailey plans to stick with the talented youngster on Craiglea Aldi this Saturday.
The 2kg claiming apprentice started the day on a high, combining with the small but in-form team of Leanne Ashford to get Hungry Horse home before Shred made it two for the afternoon with the Bailey-trained Craiglea Aldi.
The Mareeba product is under the tutelage of Bailey and says Shred does not get nervous or panic in a tight spot.
The only thing the 2017 Cairns Amateurs Cup winning trainer can see holding the 20year-old back is her weight, which most jockeys struggle with at times.
“She is improving a lot, she is listening and learning,” Bailey said.
“I think she will go a long way as a jockey if I am honest. “She is game. “She did not have much experience riding before she moved to Cairns from Mackay.
“The only issue Rachel may have down the line is her weight, which all jockeys have, and if she does not have a problem with her weight, she will go a long way.”
Craiglea Aldi beat the Trevor Rowe-trained Srandford in a photo finish in the $7000 Open Handicap (1400m) and the brown gelding will now push on to the $16,250 Johnstone River Open Handicap (1200m) at Innisfail Turf Club this Saturday.
“I am prepared to put Rachel on in the Johnstone River, that is how much confidence I have in her and her riding at the moment,” Bailey said.
“The horse is rock hard, he is solid as anything after the 1400m at Atherton and he will not have much weight on him at Innisfail.”
Meanwhile, Innisfail trainer Renee Schluenz and Little Stryker continued their outstanding form, to collect their second win from the mare’s last four starts, with two seconds wedged in between.
Following Race 1 at Atherton, all races were brought forward and raced consecutively to complete the program safely after stewards received a severe weather report.