Chris Graham Back For Another Taste Of Perth
Chris Graham will get another opportunity to experience his soon to be adopted new home when he returns to Perth for the Apprentices’ Cup (2200m) at Belmont.
Saturday’s $70,000 Apprentices’ Cup marks the Irish-born jockey’s third Perth visit in the past six months and he is determined to boot home a winner.
The 26-year-old, who arrived in Australia in 2012 to further his riding career, represented Tasmania in the National Apprentice series at Ascot in March.
Soon the well-travelled Graham will make Western Australia his permanet home where he will link-up with co-trainers Ben and Dan Pearce.
The idea was floated at the National Apprentice series and consolidated after Graham rode Don’t Fuss and Father Knick for the brothers at Belmont in July.
Graham had hoped to be in Perth for the commencement of the new racing season, but that has been put on hold as he assists host trainer Adam Trinder and his boom mare Mystic Journey.
Graham rides Mystic Journey in trials and track work and will play a pivotal role in the build-up to the four-year-old’s assault on the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley later in October.
Mystic Journey made the perfect start to her Melbourne spring carnival when she won the Group 2 Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 17.
“I was planning on being in Perth by now, but I can understand Adam’s reasoning in delaying it,” Graham told The Races WA.
“To be fair to him there are limited riders in Tasmania and he has to do a lot of the work.
“I’m there to help him in any way I can and it’s good to be involved in a good horse.
“She got off to a good start the other day and hopefully she can go on with it.”
For an Irishman, Graham has seen a fair bit of Australia.
He first worked with Paul Perry in Newcastle and as a track work rider for leviathan owner, Lloyd Williams.
It was William’s encouragement that motivated Graham to re-start his apprenticeship in the Apple Isle.
Graham, who claims 3kg, will joined in Perth for the Apprentices’ Cup by Victorian Harry Grace and Fred W Kersley, grandson of revered trainer, Fred Kersley Sr.
Kersley, now domiciled in Melbourne with Matthew Cumani, claims 1.5kg.
Graham said he was looking forward to coming back to the west.
“I’m excited to be back,” Graham said.
“It’s good to get some more experience at the track.”
Julio Santarelli