The young guns of West Australian racing are pitting themselves against the best apprentice jockeys from across the country in the National Apprentice Race Series in March and April.
Spearheading the Racing WA team are Cassey Martinan, Luke Campbell and Victoria Corver, who were selected last year, joined by newcomers Rosie Mahony and Zephen Johnston-Porter.
Injury kept Victoria from competing last year but Racing Training Manager Sharyn Lancaster said she and the rest of the team were keen to test their skills in Australia’s premier apprentice-only race series across five states and territories for 2024.
“Our apprentices did WA proud in 2023, with Brayden Gaerth and Keshaw Dhurun winning their heats and WA coming fourth overall,” Sharyn said.
“This year we hope to rank higher with our new team, which has been chosen based on who we believe will perform best in each state.
“We have some great talent in our apprentices and the national series is an exciting way to showcase them to other states.”
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The WA team with jockey coaches Peter Hall and John Claite[/caption]
The team will be up against the top emerging jockeys nationwide in races across the Northern Territory, Tasmania, South Australia, Queensland and Western Australia.
Jockey Coach Peter Hall said the NARS series boosted the profile of young riders and opened pathways, such as the secondment Luke Campbell took up in Victoria after last year’s contest.
“It’s a great series and always causes a buzz with the apprentices,” Peter said.
“It’s an excellent opportunity for WA’s rising jockeys to gain interstate experience and a terrific way to develop their learning and commitment to racing as well as a chance to meet apprentices from other states.”
The WA heat will be held at Ascot Racecourse on April 3. There are two races in each heat.
| HEAT | Date | State | Location | Apprentice |
| 1 | March 20 | South Australia | Murray Bridge | Cassey Martinan |
| 2 | March 24 | Tasmania | Hobart | Zephen Johnston-Porter |
| 3 | April 3 | Western Australia | Ascot | Victoria Corver |
| 4 | April 12 | Northern Territory | Darwin | Rosie Mahony |
| 5 | April 17 | Queensland | Doomben | Luke Campbell |
Other WA apprentices can compete in the races at Ascot but only the nominated rider from each state can score NARS points.
Nominated riders wear coloured pants representing their state, with WA competing in yellow, Queensland maroon, South Australia red, Tasmania green and the Northern Territory ochre.
Many thanks to the WA sponsors: Amelia Park, Horizon West, Carbine Club and Racing Education Centre.
Susan de Ruyter