CROOKED Blaze is a rising star of the turf and yesterday he won a heat of the Rising Star apprentices series for young jockey Eleanor Webster-Hawes at Tamworth.
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The Bathurst apprentice made the long trip north worthwhile when she was able to gain a gun run from her inside barrier (4) and land an impressive win for Tamworth trainer Leon Davies and running down Urban Knight for a length win.
Tamworth filly Exotic Art, trained by Sue Grills, was a gallant third after being caught wide.
However all the plaudits were with Crooked Blaze, a gelding son of Ad Valorem who has now won two of his 10 starts, and his young jockey.
“She rode him an absolute treat,” Davies said.
“He’s been crucified with weight because he’s been running seconds and thirds in town.”
And it’s “back to town” maybe, Davies said of a talented horse who could be one of four or five nominations from his stable for the $100,000 Country Championships Heat at Tamworth next March.
Under the rules for the Country Championships, only horses trained in the respective racing associations can compete in the seven $100,000 heats around the state.
The heat winner and runner-up then become eligible for the $300,000 Country Championships Final at Randwick.
Only horses who have won five or less races are eligible for the heats.
Davies is currently aiming Gelsomina, Achanizo, St Luke, Brilliant Poet and Crooked Blaze at the Tamworth heat.
At this stage he leans a little towards Crooked Blaze and St Luke.
“But we have some nice horses all going towards it,” he said.
“This horse (Crooked Blaze) is a nice horse.
“Eleanor did ride him well and we’ll probably go back to town with him.”
Webster-Hawes was delighted with Crooked Blaze.
“He had a lovely run,” she said.
“It’s just great to get the opportunity.”
Davies has also nominated Gelsomina for Saturday’s $20,000 Benchmark 65 Handicap (1300m) at Scone.
The race received 22 nominations yesterday for a seven-race TAB meeting that attracted a huge 189 nominations.
Scone follows the big Boxing Day meetings at Quirindi and Inverell which received 89 nominations between them .
Inverell’s meeting is highlighted by the $6000 Goodwood cup (1200m), for which nine horses have been nominated while the $7000 Cactus Wilson Memorial Class 1 Handicap (1100m) and $7000 Murrurundi Cup (2000m) are the highlight races at Quirindi.