Coast jockey to Jag metropolitan crown
JAG Guthmann-Chester’s quest to add a metropolitan apprentice jockey’s premiership to his growing list of achievements is in motion following success at the track he has called home for most of his career.
Last season’s Gold Coast apprentice jockey premiership-winner won his first Saturday metropolitan race at his home track on the weekend on the back of the Steven O’dea-trained Lothario.
It was Guthmann-Chester’s fifth win of the new season and has put him behind Matthew McGillivray (10 wins), who will become a senior rider within a month.
Guthmann-Chester set himself the task of becoming a regular city rider and the 18-year-old wants to win the metropolitan apprentice jockey premiership.
“My goal this season is try and win the apprentice premiership in town in Brisbane,” Guthmann-Chester said.
His recent title win and ability to claim 3kg has already led to rides for the likes of O’dea, Tony Gollan and Brian Smith.
“It’s all just timing,” Guthmann-Chester said.
“I’ve come at a good time and after winning the Gold Coast premiership you obviously get noticed a little bit.
“Once you ride a few winners and get support off the right trainers you are likely to get going, which is what is happening.”
Guthmann-Chester was caught at the back on Lothario in Saturday’s CNW Electrical Wholesale Class 6 Handicap (1400m) but after edging through a slight gap on the turn home the fiveyear-old gelding hit the line.
“It was a really good run,” Guthmann-Chester said.
“I thought he was always going to finish off well, it was just whether we could get there in time.”