It was previewed as a possible defining day in the Sydney Apprentice Premiership with defending champion Braith Nock sidelined through suspension and Siena Grima, with a full book of rides, seemingly well poised to break the deadlock which had Nock and Grima both on thirty winners going into Saturday’s meeting at Randwick.
And, as she has been doing so well, Grima grabbed the opportunity on offer with real appetite and intent to open up … not one … not two … but a three win advantage over Nock by the time the sun set on the meeting.
And it was the big stables that helped propel Grima into a lead many believe she will not surrender.
Grima got the John Sargent trained Prefect Justice, the $4.20 betting sites favourite, home in the second race … and then quickly completed a race-to-race double aboard the Caron Maher trained Benevac, a $2.70 second favourite in race three.
Come race seven and it was no surprise when Grima landed one for trainer Chris Waller, the stable she is attached to, saluting aboard Tazima, a $3.90 favourite.
It was only in the Prefect Justice result that Grima was pressured in any way with The Mona Lisa ($7) finishing less than half-a-length behind her, but Grima’s other two victories aboard Benevac and Tazima came with plenty of breathing space as she crossed the line with 2.84 lengths to spare on Benevac and with a 2.00 length winning margin on Tazima.
In real terms, it was as good a day at the office that Grima could have hoped for … putting daylight between herself and Nock in what could well end up being a defining day in their Premiership battle … but it is not quite a case of mission accomplished.
While, to some, there might seem to be an evitability about the final outcome now, the season is not over, and, therefore, neither is the chase for the Sydney Apprentice Premiership … but, undoubtedly, it is now advantage Grima.
