Jake Casey is aiming to capitalise on Lucy Warwick’s absence in his bid to win Bunbury’s Leading Apprentice on Wednesday.
Casey, with one meeting remaining, is one win shy of the lead but will fancy his chances with a strong book of rides.
Casey, fresh from an Ascot double on Saturday, partners Fabulistic in the Skyracing.TV Provincial Championship Series Heat (1400m).
The Neville Parnham-trained gelding won two in a row at Ascot before fading to fifth in last week’s National Apprentices’ Challenge (1500m).
Fractal, in the Mick Twomey Memorial Handicap (1200m), also has claims when racing first-up this campaign for trainer Holly Locke.
Champion jockey William Pike and Karnup trainer Grant Williams have unassailable leads in their respective categories.
Pike has ridden 21 winners for the season, seven clear of his nearest rival, Paul Harvey. Jason Whiting is next with 13 victories.
Williams has prepared 12 winners, well ahead of Brett Pope and Adam Durrant who are battling it out for the minor prize.
Warwick Bradshaw’s Diversicolour, with two wins and two placings, will be crowned Bunbury Horse of the Year.
The Husson Lightning gelding can add to his strike rate in the Skyracing TV Provincial Championship Series Heat.
Distant Memory, Musark, Tudor Bolt and Trevinski were tied in second position.
On Friday Natasha Faithfull edged out Jordan Turner to win Geraldton’s Leading Rider for the 2014-15 racing season.
Faithfull amassed 113 points, six clear of Turner after posting 15 wins, 11 seconds and five third placings.
It was Faithfull’s first senior award after previously taking out Leading Apprentice at Albany and Bunbury.
Turner won the Apprentice title from Shelby Bowtell (69 points), Emma Stent (62 points) and Fiona Bell (49 points).
Shooting Iron handed Tony Scally Leading Trainer after powering home in the Frank Hunt Memorial Apprentices’ Cup (1900m).
Murray Sharp was seven points adrift with Ron Cowl and Gordan Spowart filling third and fourth place respectively.
A runner up finish to Our Mantle was enough for the Eric Boschetti-trained Tudor Royal to clinch Horse of the Year honours.
The Royal Gem gelding enjoyed a top season with three wins and four placings from his eight starts.
He finished two clear of Eco Park, Confucius and Cyclone Lilly.
RWWA: Julio Santarelli