The next generation of apprentices will come through in Sydney this season and Newcastle trainer Kris Lees believes his lanky three-kilogram claimer Ben Osmond can be at the head of the class.
The past couple of seasons will be a hard act to follow after Zac Lloyd, Tyler Schiller and Dylan Gibbons, who served his time out of Lees’ Newcastle stable, made names for themselves among the elite riders in Sydney.
Ben Osmond returns in the famous Ingham silks after winning on Robusto a fortnight ago. Credit: Getty Images
However, two-time champion apprentice Lloyd will be the last of the trio to finish their time in November and will set a target for Osmond, Zac Wadick and Molly Bourke to chase as they battle to be the next star apprentice.
“There is certainly an opportunity there for some of these kids to come through now, and the way he is improving Ben is going to get his chances,” Lees said.
“He is an older apprentice who is very hard-working. You can see him getting better all the time, and he wants to get better. He is a taller kid and they can look untidy, but he has tightened up his style and the next year will be exciting to see where he gets to.”
Osmond has built a relationship with the Chris Waller stable and scored on Kazou, Unstopabull and Robusto. The association came about after Osmond asked Lees if he could ride work in Sydney once a week for for the premier trainer.
“I have to give him and his manager credit; they came up with the idea and it has helped him a lot,” Lees said. “You see don’t many apprentices riding for Chris Waller, and when he has got his chances he has made the most of them. That’s him, he is a very impressive young man and learning all the time.”
Osmond will link again on Saturday with Unstopabull and Robusto, which he weaved a passage on to win a fortnight ago and earned the praise of Waller.
“He has come and helped us out when we didn’t have enough riders, and if he keeps riding like that we will be using him more,” Waller said. “He has a good attitude and is a good rider, and his claim is a bonus at the moment.”
Osmond will ride Hellavadancer and Memoria for his boss tomorrow after winning on Sailor at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
“Hellavadancer has been luckless at two runs this time in and is sneaking up in the weights.” Lees said. “Ben can take the three kilos off his back and get him into the race with a great chance.
“Ben has ridden Memoria a lot in his career and they are arriving in town together at the right time.
“He has had a couple of wins on her and I think the better track will help her. It would be good for both of them to get a city win.”
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