Greg Bennett believes Racing NSW needs to review its rules surrounding country apprentices and allow them to retain their 1.5kg allowance even after they pass the 80 winners mark.
Bennett’s apprentice, Rachael Murray, who was the flavour of the month with trainers until she lost her claim, is now struggling to get even one or two rides at a meeting.
Bennett will give her the rides on all four of his starters at Scone on Monday while a track accident last Tuesday morning has cost Murray a definite fifth ride.
Bennett had planned to start the highly promising Kartini in the www.daneshadow.com.au Benchmark 60 (1100m) but the filly was kicked while coming off the track Last Tuesday and will not start.
Murray lost her country claim when she booted home 80 winners in only 18 months but now that she has no claim is being ignored by most trainers.
“Rachael didn’t suddenly lose her ability when she lost her claim but she is battling to get one or two rides at a meeting and that affects her mentally,” Bennett said.
“She is starting to question her ability which is so unfair.
“We lose too many good kids in the country because of this rule so I will be supporting Rachael with rides on all my horses.
“The answer is to get her to provincial meetings where she can claim 3kgs.
“However that then robs country racing of a good apprentice.”
Murray’s four rides for Bennett are first starter Shocking Behaviour (Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale Benchmark 50), Vaqueros Dream ((Myboycharlie First Crop Yearlings Class One), Clickety Snip (Buy Bellerive Yearlings at Melbourne Maiden) and Lead Role (I Am Invincible at Yarraman Maiden).
Bennett makes no apologies for Shocking Behaviour making her debut out of her grade.
“The 900 metres suits her and I am sure of her getting a run while there are 32 nominations for the 1100 metre maiden and the distance is not as suitable.”
The former Gerald Ryan trained filly Ablett’s Screamer has been switched to Peter Bloomfield and has her first run for him in Monday’s Buy Bellerive Yearlings at Melbourne Maiden (1100m).
“Don Scott bred and owns her and I worked with Don at Corrumbene Stud when I first came to New South Wales,” Bloomfield said.
“Different people leased her when she was with Gerald and then a new group took her over and Don recommended she come to me.
“She is a nice filly but a bit wayward in her races and it is something I have been working on.”
The well named Ablett’s Screamer, by Aussie Rules, had three starts for Ryan for a second at Gosford last June as a two year old and should be well placed against country company.
Rod Northam will separate his four year olds with Bella Filante to start in the Benchmark 60 (1100m) and Mehitabaa in the Myboycharlie First Crop Yearlings Class One (1300m).
Northam nominated Mehitabaa for both races but apart from a dislike for stable mates racing against one another he also believes the longer distance will better suit Mehitabaa.
“He had three starts back from a spell then I gave him a freshen up and I could not be happier,” Northam said.
”Bella Filante has also had a freshen up since her win at Muswellbrook and I think this race suits her perfectly.
“She is a mare that I have a lot of time for.”
Bella Filante has only raced five times for wins at Scone and Muswellbrook.
Northam will also start Rod’s Bid in the I Am Invincible at Yarraman Maiden (1300m).
“His first up fourth here last month was a good effort and I expect him to improve on that,” Northam said.
Taree trainer Ross Stitt will be trying his hardest to be at Scone on Monday to watch Just As Dapper run in the Yalumba Class Two (1600m) but if he does get there it will be via Tasmania.
Stitt flies to Hobart on Saturday morning to watch Youthful Jack run in the Lyons Stakes (1400m) on Sunday and is booked to return on an early flight on Monday morning.
“If our flight gets in on time I might head up to Scone to watch him run,” Stitt said.
“This horse needs a few runs to get fit and he is there now plus 1600 metres is his favourite distance.”
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