Natasha Faithfull and Jordan Turner renew hostilities in their titanic struggle for leading riding honours at Geraldton’s penultimate meeting on Tuesday.
Turner jumped to a clear lead in the early part of the season but has been pegged back by Faithfull who holds a slender lead over her junior rival.
Kim Tasha in race two, Dylicious Secret in the fourth and Silver Serena in race six are capable of boosting Faithfull’s tally of 112 points.
Kim Tasha ran a solid race on debut when a half-length second to Socially Unique and from a nice gate in five she will be in a forward position.
Dylicious Secret was an easy winner when leading all the way at Geraldton two starts back and was one length second to Real Glow at York.
Silver Serena stormed home to win over 1620m at Albany and didn’t enjoy the best of luck when 10th of 13 to Scenic Lord (2019m) at Bunbury.
Turner, nine points adrift of Faithfull, will pin his trust in Big Clint who will have solid claims in the Rich Maslen Memorial Handicap (1100m).
The six-year-old has won four races and been placed twice from his past six starts and has drawn perfectly in barrier one.
He hasn’t been since February but races well fresh with two wins and as many placings from five first-up attempts.
Turner teams up with Cyclone Lilly for the first time in the Frank Hunt Memorial Apprentices’ Cup (1900m).
The five-year-old was unplaced but not disgraced in the Geraldton Cup before finishing midfield in the Mingenew Cup (2000m).
She maybe showing signs of nearing the end of her campaign but did win over 1900m earlier in her preparation and can bob up without surprising.
Turner maybe in a battle for the senior riding award but he has the apprentice title well and truly in his keeping.
However, honours for the runner up prize is tight with Shelby Bowtell holding a two point advantage over Emma Stent.
Murray Sharp will fancy his hopes of drawing back the lead from Tony Scally in the Leading Trainer award.
Sharp, who trails Scally by two points, will have solid claims with Big Clint and the ultra-consistent, Wannem Back.
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