After juggling choices between three possible rides in the 1000m Armidale Retravision BM-50 Handicap, Drury had elected to ride In Tripliket, an emerging three-year-old part-owned by her dad Tim and his partner, Jenny Bridge.

They own the filly in partnership with State Member for Tamworth Peter Draper and his wife Sharon, as well as trainer Ruth Cooper and her husband, Ritchie Scherf.

“I had a couple of choices in that race so it was a really hard decision but I opted to take the ride on my dad’s horse,” Drury said.

Drury, fresh from yet another suspension, could have ridden either Stephen Towns’s Palais Royale or Barry Smith’s in-form Shorephil.

“I’ve won three on Shorephil, including its last start at Gunnedah and a couple on Palais Royale. I think they are the two horses to beat,” Drury said.

“Palais Royale has no weight and Shorephil is trained on the track and has been on fire lately. They’ll be hard to beat but so will my dad’s filly – she’s got a lot of ability.

“She’s got a bit of weight but I think she’s a bit above that class. She’s only young as well and has a bit of a career ahead of her,” she said.

In Tripliket today carries 56.5kg after Drury’s 1.5kg claim and will spring from gate six in the 12-strong field.

The filly was unplaced on debut at Gunnedah back in January then put wins together at Tamworth and Armidale before taking on strong company in the 1200m Southern Cross Ten Two-Year-Old Plate during the rich July Grafton Carnival.

“She raced a bit funny in that race and was probably coming towards the end of her preparation,” Drury said.

“She flew to the front and pulled herself into the ground, and we got caught wide. She still finished about eighth but couldn’t finish the race off because she used up a lot at the start.”

Drury’s career continues to blossom, despite copping her share of suspensions.

Apprenticed to Tamworth trainer Craig Martin, she has ridden 16 winners this season and at Tamworth last Monday resumed from an enforced holiday to win on Never You Mind for her boss.

“That was good,” she said.

“It was my first day back from another suspension, so as long as I can keep out of trouble I’ll be happy,” she grinned.

“I’m having a good season I suppose – except for the

suspensions.”