Sydney Apprentice Jockey’s Premiership heats up at Randwick

The Sydney Apprentice Jockey’s Premiership could take a decisive turn at Randwick on Saturday.

Braith Nock and Siena Grima are currently locked together at the top of the ladder with 30 wins apiece, but Nock will be on the sidelines on Saturday courtesy of a reckless riding suspension, while it will be full steam ahead for Grima, who has a full book of rides on the day on horses that have the potential to help propel her into a handy premiership lead.

If she gets on a roll – which might be hard for Nock to peg back – the premiership race could take a significant turn given there are only five metropolitan meetings remaining after Saturday until the end of the season.

Currently, Grima has the ride on four favourites, albeit in what appear to be open contests, and only two of her rides are priced at longer than $10.

She rides the main fancies in race three (the John Sargent-trained Prefect Justice), race four (the Ciaron Maher-trained Benevac), race seven (the Chris Waller-trained Tazima) and race nine (the Ciaron Maher-trained Lugh).

Grima’s strong book of rides has made her a focal point for punters following the markets with leading betting apps Australia, with four of her mounts heading betting on the Randwick program.

Grima also has a further two rides for Chris Waller and another ride for Ciaron Maher across the meeting.

She has single rides for the Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou training partnership and Jeremy Gask in the opening two races on the card, as well as a ride for Matthew Dale in the final event.

If results go Grima’s way, this could well prove to be a pivotal day in the chase for the Sydney Apprentice Jockey’s Premiership and a hard watch for Braith Nock.

Either way, you can rest assured that Nock, the defending champion after claiming the 2024/25 Sydney Apprentice Jockey’s Premiership with 40 winners, will fight all the way to the finish line.

A thrilling finish to the premiership race is still very much in prospect.