Former rodeo competitors face off at Armidale (Mon)

While the professional rivalry remains intense, winning celebrations are likely shared between regional racing family and close friends at Monday’s Armidale TAB meeting.

Jockey : MIKAYLA WEIR.
Jockey : MIKAYLA WEIR. Picture: Martin King / Sportpix

In-form Bendemeer trainer Jane Clement has six starters, duals in two races.

Her son Braith Nock apprenticed to Scone's Brett Cavanough, a family mate, has a strong book throughout seven TAB races.

As does Jane's new apprentice Kelsey Lenton formerly from Townsville.

Braith and Kelsey originally met on the regional rodeo circuit before deciding on professional riding careers.

That mateship led to Kelsey's apprenticeship with Jane in proximity to Armidale where she resides and has ridden 26 winners.

While Braith has ridden 33 winners in his second season with Cavanough. The apprentices are opposed in most races.

Jane, a winner of numerous country Cups is represented by stablemates, seven-race winner Amazingly with Kelsey's 2.5kg claim and six-race winner Sparks with Mikayla Weir in a Laing & Simmons Real Estate Armidale BM 66, 1300m.

Braith rides Just Jacky in the same race. Amazingly is Jane's preferred after a solid third at $3 in an Armidale Open Handicap at the previous meeting.

In the sixth event Kelsey again rides last start Armidale Class 1 winner Mullamaart.

Local trainer Stirling Osland is invariably on the money home track and the best value on the day likely is Quick As A Flash contesting the Armidale Jockey Club Function Centre Class 2, 1400m with Mikayla Weir aboard.

After their impressive win at Gunnedah the four-year-old mare was heavily backed into $1.90 when an unlucky neck second at Armidale's last meeting.

At present the track is a Soft 5 in fine weather with a top of 21 degrees on raceday.


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