Tasmania has jumped into contention for the 2023 National Apprentices Race Series (NARS) after Chloe Wells scored 17 points from her two rides to win the third round held in Hobart on Sunday.
Victoria leads with 30, followed by on WA 26, QLD 24 and Tasmania 22. The next round is in South Australia (22 March) then Brisbane (29 March) with the final round at Sandown in Melbourne (19 April).
Alpine Affair put up the run of the day to take out the second leg of the National Apprentice Race Series.
The John Blacker-trained galloper had no luck posted three and four wide for the trip after jumping from barrier 10.
"He's been a handy horse from day dot, we ran him in the 3&4YO Magic Millions and he ran third behind Turk Warrior.
"I thought he was strong today, he ran super," Blacker told TasracingTV after the race.
The win completed a double for Blacker who won earlier in the day with Fake Magic in the AYC Netball Club 3YO Hcp.
Starting $5.50, Fake Magic was too good for the long odds-on favourite, Bold Instinct who was backed from $1.50 to start $1.30.
"The plan was to sit outside the favourite and half-length him all the way and put a bit of pressure on him at the 250 metres which he did, and I thought he was quite impressive."
Apprentice Brooke Hannam rode Fake Magic and later made it a double when she won on the well supported Alvarinho, ($9.50 into $4.20) in the first leg of the NARS series.
Bobble bobs up in the openerTrainer Gary White predicts his lightly raced filly Bobble will be an even better horse next season when she matures and races over longer trips.
With former Tasmanian apprentice Teagan Voorham in the saddle, Bobble overcame some difficulties to win the Ladbrokes Mates Mode 2YO Hcp (1200m).
"I think she will jump better and race a lot handier as a 3YO but all this going forward is going to help her with her future racing," White said.
Hanham was the only jockey to ride multiple winners, while Scott Brunton, still on a high after The Inevitable's third placing in the All-Star Mile on Saturday, shared the training honours with Blacker.
