Dittman leaves Coast title open for Whiteley
THE Brisbane premierships might be all sewn up but the race for the Gold Coast jockeys and trainers titles are set to go down to the wire at the Bundall track today.
Apprentice Luke Dittman (24 wins) leads senior hoop Chris Whiteley by one win in the jockeys race, while defend- ing champion John Morrisey (18 wins) is one and two wins ahead of Gillian Heinrich and Bryan Guy respectively in the trainers title.
Dittman is riding at the Sunshine Coast instead today as he continues to build momentum in the metro riding ranks but Whiteley is ready to pounce in the last Coast meeting of the current season.
The 40-year-old has seven rides at the Coast today and he said it would be nice to win the title for the fourth time.
“I will be happy to equal Luke and it wasn’t a target at the start of the year so I can’t be disappointed if I don’t do it,” he said.
Whiteley rated Our Songbird in Race 7 as his best chance to win but admits he has several each-way chances.
“Our Songbird ran on well the other day and Revelio has a maiden win in him, but wheth- er that is (today) is up to him,” Whiteley said. “Top Royal is a chance as well and Stuboy has won on a heavy track before and a few of my rides have a bit of wet track form.”
Morrisey said he hadn’t given the premiership race a thought this week.
He only has three runners at the Coast today but might not even need a winner to claim the crown for the fifth time in the past seven seasons.
“I don’t worry about those things but I suppose if you win the premiership it means you’ve trained a few winners and that’s always nice,” he said.
“I’ve only got a few in but Casinomac (Race 1) won at this track last start and would have to be a chance again and Generate is some hope (in Race 4).”
Trainer Tony Gollan, jockey Jim Byrne and apprentice Luke Tarrant will win their respective metropolitan titles.