The fierce contest for the Sydney apprentices premiership between young talents Siena Grima and Braith Nock intensifies at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Nock has largely held the lead throughout the season, but Grima has surged ahead, securing a hat-trick at Royal Randwick last Saturday with wins on Tazima, Perfect Justice, and Benevac. This impressive performance brings her tally to 33 victories, establishing a three-win advantage with only five meetings left in the racing calendar.
Grima benefits from the support of the prominent Chris Waller stable, with four engagements for the champion trainer at the mid-week fixture. These include Aurora Boom ($7) in the opening event, the Racing And Sports Plate over 1100 metres.
Her additional rides for the Waller stable are Leonessa ($19) in the Robrick Lodge Plate (1100m), Snitzel Miss ($10) in the Asahi Super Dry Handicap (1400m), and Full Hao ($10) in the Ole Kirk At Vinery Stud Handicap (1600m).
Furthermore, Grima is set to ride Dusty Bay ($5), prepared by Tracey Bartley, in the TAB Handicap (1400m). She also partners Stormland ($9.50) from Ciaron Maher’s stable in the Irresistible Pools and Spas Handicap (1100m), and Brannum ($71), trained by Theresa Bateup, in the Agency Real Estate Handicap (1600m).
Grima is on track to become just the fourth female apprentice to clinch the Sydney premiership, following in the footsteps of Rachel King (2017/18), Winona Costin (2014-15), and Kathy O’Hara (2004-05).
However, Nock is determined to rally his title defence, boasting six rides at Warwick Farm, each from a different trainer. His strongest prospects appear to be Deep Pleasure ($6), prepared by Mick Price and Michael Kent Junior, in the Ole Kirk At Vinery Stud Handicap, and Let’s Go Again ($7.50) for the Kerry Parker stable in the Irresistible Pools and Spas Handicap.
Nock will also ride Peter Snowden’s Divine Offering ($21) in the Racing And Sports Plate, Gone To Gowings ($23) for the Clarry Conners stable in the Robrick Lodge Plate, the Joel Wilkes-trained Danish Fortune ($13) in the Agency Real Estate Handicap, and Voracious, trained by Mack Griffith, in the TAB Handicap.
Nock is aiming to join an exclusive fraternity of jockeys who have secured multiple Sydney apprentice premierships in this century.
Zac Lloyd achieved consecutive Sydney titles in 2022-23 and 2023-24, a feat also managed by Robbie Dolan (2018-19, 2019-20) and Sam Clipperton (2012-13, 2013-14). Mitch Newman secured his second premiership in 2000-01, having previously won the title in 1998-99.
Chris Waller, who has already amassed 176 wins this season, is also pursuing a record at the Warwick Farm meeting.
The Hall of Fame trainer requires an additional 13 victories to match his personal best for most Sydney wins in a single season, a record of 189 wins he set in 2017-18.
Waller has runners in five races on Wednesday, including Saloon Passage, the current $3 favourite for the Asahi Super Dry Handicap.
The Warwick Farm meeting features a number of competitive races, with the Ole Kirk At Vinery Stud Handicap shaping up as a key contest. You can explore the latest online bookmakers and their offerings for the day’s racing.