Jockey Brayden Gaerth hopes to capitalise on a good book of rides at Bunbury on Saturday, but a firm focus will be on landing a career best victory in the $125,000 Listed Bolton Sprint (1200m).
Gaerth is fresh out of serving a successful apprenticeship and landing his first feature win would not only be personally satisfying but would also cap a rewarding season and be a fast start as he makes the transition to senior riding ranks.
Gaerth rides Rockin’ Rupert for the first time in the Bolton Sprint and rates the six-year-old, one of two starters for Sean and Jake Casey, as a top booking and has growing confidence it could turn out to be a successful association.
Rockin’ Rupert returns for the winter following last year’s Ascot Pinnacles carnival where the results show he went winless, but Gaerth says a closer dive indicates the Winning Rupert gelding ran competitively in top company.
Gaerth says the catalyst for his confidence in Rockin’ Rupert was last year's Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes performance when he finished fifth and got to within two lengths of gun eastern states sprinter and Ascot specialist, Overpass.
“I’m very excited to be partnering with him,” Gaerth said on Tabradio.
“Obviously he’s a pretty class horse and his runs last prep were really good in good company.
“Especially his run in the Winterbottom, it was pretty impressive.
“I know that the team are very happy with him and his trial was good.
“I’m excited to see him tomorrow and it’s a competitive race, an even field.
“But I’m certainly happy with my ride in the race.
“I think he’ll be right there.”
Rockin’ Rupert banged up on his two other rivals in a 1200m Belmont trial, stretching out to win by 16 lengths.
With the key scratching of Toropa, Rockin’ Rupert is the $4.40 second favourite behind stable mate Wind And The Lion ($2.90).
Man Crush is $5.50, Phanta $8 and Baby Paris $9.
Gaerth and the Casey’s team up earlier with Ain’t No Other Man in the Bunbury Volkswagen Handicap (1000m) and despite his $21 Tabtouch status, Gaerth gives the six-year-old a strong push.
A son of Gingerbread Man, he’s looked okay in two trials, finishing top two in both and Gaerth rode him to double wins at Ascot towards the end of his campaign last year.
“I actually really like him,” Gaerth said.
“It’s a handy little race, but I think from barrier one he’s going to be doing little to no work.
“His trials have been really good and I worked him yesterday; he was fresh and bouncing around.
“I think at the price he’s a very good bet and I think the favourite (Desert Whisper) could be vulnerable on the back up.
“I really like him.”
Gaerth can kick off the day on Slip The Jab, a highly rated two-year-old from the yard of Luke Fernie.
Julio Santarelli