Tim Bell has revealed his ambition to win his first Group One while still an apprentice with the powerful Patinack Farm stable.
Bell hopes his dream will come true during the Brisbane winter carnival with promising filly Pretty Pins who makes her comeback in the Listed National Jockey Celebration Queensland Day at Doomben on Saturday.
Bell had the difficult choice between riding Pretty Pins in the 1350-metre feature or stablemate Boys On Tour.
In the end, Bell decided not to give up the ride on Pretty Pins who is being aimed at the Group One Queensland Oaks (2400m) at Eagle Farm in June.
“I had the choice of both horses and Boys On Tour is probably better suited over the distance in this race than Pretty Pins who is resuming,” Bell said.
“But Pretty Pins is headed for the Queensland Oaks and like most good stayers she can sprint well first-up.
“She might need the run against this line-up before she runs again in a fortnight.”
Bell, 19, rode Pretty Pins when she finished second to seasoned sprinter Lucky Dubai in a 900-metre barrier trial at Deagon on March 29.
“I was really happy with her trial. She’s progressed well since then and she has strengthened up a lot this campaign,” he said.
“Boys On Tour is a class galloper and he could well pick up a Group or Listed race during the winter if he continues on but it was too hard to pass up riding the filly.”
Bell has won 12 Listed races during his short career but has never won a Group race.
He joined Patinack Farm almost 12 months ago to become Nathan Tinkler’s stable rider in Queensland and plans to stay on when his apprenticeship days are over.
“I’ve won 12 Listed races in my career but I’m yet to win a Group race,” Bell said.
“The best I’ve done in a Group One race was a fourth on Border Rebel in last year’s Doomben 10,000.
“Hopefully I can crack a Group One for Patinack during the winter carnival.
“I’m due to finish my apprenticeship in about three or four months but I’ll be staying on with Patinack Farm.”
Bell, who lost his claim several months ago, is hoping for some rain to improve Pretty Pins’ chances at her first start since winning on a slow track over 2020 metres at Doomben on December 24.
The daughter of Pins is yet to miss a place in her career with four wins and three placings from seven starts.
Ryan Wiggins will ride former Sydney sprinter Boys On Tour who is unbeaten at his only two starts since coming to Queensland.
