Queensland will take a lead into the third round of the National Apprentices Challenge at Doomben.
Toowoomba apprentice Baylee Nothdurft rode Fearhildi to win the second round in Perth last week to put Queensland in front on 14 points from Victoria on eight.
Western Australia (7), Tasmania (4), South Australia (3) and Northern territory (1) are next. NSW does not compete in the series.
The final two rounds of the challenge on are in South Australia and Victoria.
Racing Queensland have made Wednesday’s Apprentices Challenge series race a $45,000 Class Three Plate to ensure a full field.
RQ senior apprentice coach Shane Scriven said it was a great opportunity for punters to see some of Australia’s best young riders.
“The series has been going for a few years now and the races always produce some future stars,” he said.
Queensland will have a strong representation but one of the top young riders in Jackson Murphy will be missing.
He has been out since late December when he injured a wrist in a race fall at Doomben but has been back working at the stables and hopes to resume trackwork riding shortly.
The riders for Wednesday’s race are Raquel Clark (SA), Teodore Nugent, (Vic), Teegan Voorham (Tas), Emma Stent (WA), Baylee Nothdurft, Corey Bayliss, Hannah English, Jag Guthmann-Chester, Jed Hodge, Michael Murphy, Minehiko Shimodiara, Sally Sweeney and Taylor Williams (all Qld).
