With Sydney apprentices in demand, sending a boy on a senior jockey’s mission isn’t an issue for trainer Steve Englebrecht in the Listed Christmas Cup.
Englebrecht, who is preparing in-form galloper Assertive Billy for his first run in stakes grade, is sticking solid with 19-year-old apprentice Shaun Guymer in Saturday’s $100,000 race at Rosehill.
Guymer, with his three kilogram city claim, has ridden Assertive Billy to two recent wins at Rosehill and Warwick Farm.
He can’t use his allowance on Saturday because of the Listed status of the Christmas Cup but Englebrecht says he is willing to ride the wave of recent success enjoyed by Sydney apprentices.
Apprentices have won stakes races at the past two Sydney meetings and Englebrecht is hoping the run continues.
“The apprentices are doing well and Shaun is right up there with them,” he said.
Guymer was having his first ride on Assertive Billy when the six-year-old arrived at $101 at Rosehill in October.
They greeted the judge at double figure odds at Warwick Farm last month and Englebrecht can’t find an obvious reason to break up a winning team.
“The horse is running for him so there’s no reason to change,” Englebrecht said.
“He’s not riding him all that pretty but that has probably been the key.
“I don’t think the horse has that turn of foot so he’s got to be stoked up to take the sprint out of the others.”
Englebrecht has no qualms about a rise in class – or distance – on Saturday.
“I think he’s earned his chance,” the trainer said.
Assertive Billy will race at 2400 metres for the first time but Englebrecht wants as much tempo as possible.
“The way he is racing and on his win the other day I don’t think the distance will be a problem,” he said.
If it is, Englebrecht has enough faith in young Guymer to adjust his tactics.
“He thinks a bit. He gets out and has a go,” Englebrecht said.
“If plan A doesn’t work he seems to be able to go to a plan B pretty quickly.”
Guymer and Josh Adams were the only apprentices confirmed on Monday for Christmas Cup rides.
Adams, who has a 1.5kg claim, takes over on Wyong Cup and Newcastle Cup placegetter Gazza Guru.
The Australian Turf Club received 15 Christmas Cup entries including Erewhon and Yulalona from the Peter Snowden yard.
Melbourne stayer Sea Galleon is also nominated for father-daughter training team Colin and Cindy Alderson.
Last year’s South Australian Derby placegetter is in form with recent Moonee Valley and Sandown wins.
AAP TURF
