Ascot will host the next leg of the National Apprentices’ Challenge at Ascot on Wednesday.
Interstate competitors riding are Brandon Stockdale (Victoria), Brooke Stower (Queensland), Eran Boyd (South Australia) and Mehmet Ulucinar (Tasmania).
Stockdale, son of Sale trainer, Frankie Stockdale, has made a rapid start to his career with more than 20 wins since debuting last October.
Despite a two-week placement with champion Sydney trainer, Gai Waterhouse, the 16-year-old will ride his first race outside Victoria.
He picks up the mount on last-start York winner, Moment Of Love, one of two runners for trainer Neville Parnham.
Boyd’s career has been hampered by injury but earlier in January she claimed her best win on Periduki in the $50,000 Darley Sprint at Morphettville.
She has ridden 67 winners including five and nine country cup doubles. Boyd represented South Australian in the Tasmanian leg of the Apprentice series.
Boyd will partner the Paula Wagg-trained Thunderclap Newman who is racing well with two wins and a third from his past four runs.
Stower has only recently received her metropolitan riding license, progressing from a highly successful provincial riding record.
The 22-year-old, indentured to Tony sears, is sitting a comfortable fourth in the provincial apprentice premiership ladder.
Stower teams up with Darryn Pateman’s McAre who has found it tough after winning at Narrogin four starts back.
Turkish-born Mehmet has displayed steady improvement under the care of former leading jumps jockey, Adam Trinder.
With nine wins and 15 minor placings Mehmet is currently equal 12th on the Tasmanian Jockey’s premiership.
Mehmet will pilot Josie’s Babe, trained by Jeff Noske, who comes into contention after a second to Indigo Sun at Bunbury.
Joseph Azzopardi, Renee Forrest, Jerry Noske, Jordan Turner and Jake Casey will be Western Australia’s representatives.
Azzopardi will partner the Lindsey Smith-trained Zarantz who is working his way back to fitness after four consecutive wins last campaign.
Forrest will be on Geraldton galloper Kurrajong Starfire who has been placed at his previous two starts at Mingenew and Dongara.
Noske is enjoying excellent form and will fancy her chances on Neville Parnham’s Fabulistic who is chasing a winning hat trick.
Casey has gained the ride on veteran campaigner Zuboyne while Turner, fresh from his Narrogin Cup success, will have the duties on Adam Durrant’s Drumnoorum.
Julio Santarelli
www.rwwa.com.au
