Brenton Avdulla’s quest to ride a 100 winners in a season for the first time will continue at Canterbury.
Avdulla went into Tuesday’s meeting at Newcastle on 99 but he was denied his century when the Kris Lees-trained Naranja was beaten into second place as favourite.
He has a full book on Wednesday to achieve the milestone and put himself on the cusp of a top-10 finish in the national jockeys’ premiership.
Bookmakers rate the enigmatic Drago in the TAB Rewards Handicap as the pick of his Canterbury rides.
Drago has earned more than $230,000 but his only win in a 19-start career came more than two years ago.
Hugh Bowman returns to riding after suspension with another Sydney premiership in his sights.
Bowman has ridden 82 winners in Sydney for the season to be 6-1/2 behind Godolphin jockey James McDonald.
McDonald is riding in England and is unlikely to return to Sydney until late in the season, making Bowman the popular pick to win the 2014-2015 jockeys’ title.
Trainer Matthew Smith is hoping he can provide Bowman with a Canterbury win with the imported galloper Zayam in the TAB Rewards Handicap.
Zayam will clash with Drago and Smith says the five-year-old is ready to find winning form after two runs since a spell.
