Kirby Leads Rising Star Series
9 October, 2017
Thoroughbred
Brodie Kirby has pinched an early lead in the Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) Rising Star Apprentice Series as his comeback from injury gathered momentum on the weekend.
Sidelined for four months with a knee complaint, Kirby got off to a flying start when he posted one win and eight placings from his 11 rides at Leonora and Northam on Saturday and Sunday.
Launching a top 48 hours for the talented apprentice, Kirby partnered the Steele Casey-trained hot favourite, Tirreno, in the Leonora Sprint (1200m), scoring comfortably from Mythical Trust.
A double in the Leonora Cup (1600m) came agonisingly close for Kirby when his mount, Ballidu Bomber, finished a head third to Haul In in an exciting finish.
Hot on the heels of Kirby is Fred Kersley and Fiona Bell after their top rides on Our Finest Moment and Entrechat respectively at Belmont on Saturday.
Kersley had Our Finest Moment, who is racing in top form for trainer, Raquel Williams, perfectly placed after he was in danger of getting caught wide early.
Entrechat was the victim of bad luck at her previous outing, but Bell gave her a trouble fee run and had the mare poised to strike at the top of the straight.
Bell has formed a formidable partnership and appears to get the best out of Entrechat, winning three of her four races on the Paige Kenney seven-year-old.
LEADERBOARD
Brodie Kirby |
21 |
Fred Kersley |
15 |
Fiona Bell |
15 |
Clint Johnston-Porter |
11 |
Andrew Castle |
10 |
Casey Hunter |
10 |
Shelby Colgate |
05 |
Jessica Gray |
05 |
Kate Witten |
05 |
Tayla Stone |
04 |
Bonnie Palise |
03 |
Randy Tan |
01 |
Maddison Brown |
00 |
Ashley Carmichael |
00 |
Mollie Clarke |
00 |
Kate Fitzgerald |
00 |
Chelsi Forder |
00 |
Each apprentice jockey earns points according to their claim at the meeting plus additional points for placings.
Points are awarded as follows:
1st ride for the day – points based on claims for the day
4kg claim = 4 points, 3kg claim = 3 points, 2kg claim = 2 points, 1.5kg claim = 1 point
Each winner ridden on the day will earn 7 points
Each 2nd placegetter on the day will earn 2 points
Each 3rd placegetter on the day will earn 1 point
Follow The Series At These Locations
October 7 |
Belmont-Leonora |
October 8 |
Northam |
October 11 |
Belmont |
October 12 |
Northam |
October 14 |
Bunbury, Moora, Leinster |
October 15 |
Geraldton |
October 18 |
Northam |
October 21 |
Ascot-Laverton |
October 22 |
Bunbury |
October 25 |
Ascot |
October 26 |
Geraldton |
October 28 |
Ascot-Collie |
October 29 |
Northam |
November 1 |
Ascot |
November 2 |
Bunbury |
November 4 |
Ascot |
November 5 |
Mt Barker |
November 7 |
Ascot-Geraldton-Bunbury |
Julio Santarelli